Keep your Car Safe from a Break in this Holiday Season

Its holiday season, where you are buying gifts for your loved ones. Unfortunately, it is also car break in season. I don’t understand why anyone would want to steal from anyone or cause anyone damage. There are different things to protect yourself from being a victim of a car break in.

The first thing you should do is lock your car doors. I know that sounds pretty simple but it can be easy to forget that one time. Even if you live in a nice area, still lock your car doors.

If you have a garage, park in it. It is also easier on cold mornings because it doesn’t take as long for your car to warm up. You won’t have to scrape the snow and ice off of your car either.

 If parking in a garage is not an option, be sure to take your packages inside with you. Even in the trunk, it could not be safe. Do not leave your garage door opener in your car overnight. Remember to take out your satellite radio, GPS and cell phone. Removing all valuables from your car is your best bet.

 Park in a well-lit area. Consider getting a motion sensor light that will ward off anyone trying to sneak a peek in your car.  

Don’t leave extra car keys or house keys in your car at night.

If you do find out someone has broken in your car, do not panic. Call the police immediately. Do not touch anything in or on your car if possible.  You might be destroying fingerprints or other important evidence. I know you might want to check and see what is missing but don’t.

You can make a list of all the items in your car. Don't worry if they're in there or not unless you can see them through the window. You can give the list to the police and it will help you report what is missing.

Remember to remain calm in contact your insurance company and explain that was broken into. Remember to get a copy of the police report and any other important information.

Take pictures of the damage and the car. Once your car has been inventoried note what is missing and gather any receipts of those items.

If there is damage be very careful when you are near the car. Advise children to stay away from the car keep animals away from any broken glass. Ask the police what would be the best way to clean up the mess.

Hopefully, you will not have to worry about your used car this holiday season.

The Ten Most Annoying Car Songs

Most of us sing in the car while we are traveling, there are some songs that are like nails on a chalkboard. They are so annoying, you can’t wait until the song is done. The worst is when it gets stuck in your head and you start randomly singing it. Some songs just are that catchy, annoying or not. I thought it would be fun to share what I consider the ten most annoying car songs. I know that I am going to have them all stuck in my head all day, I am willing to make that sacrifice for you.

10.  Down by the Bay by Raffi. I love Raffi but this song is just annoying.

9. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, his name is my name too. There’s a lot of shouting in this song.

8. The Wheels on the Bus is extremely and utterly annoying.

7. This is the song that never ends was made popular by Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop. Now it’s just a song kids sing to drive their parents crazy. The song can go on for minutes, or hours because it never ends until you distract them or they forget.

6. Yankee Doodle and other patriotic songs are best sung at ball games and on the 4^th of July.

5. I’m Henry the Eighth I am is usually more of an adult song but it gets forever stuck in your head, sometimes you wish you were one of his wives.

4. it’s a Small World is a popular song to sing while you are driving to Disney World it’s a small small car after the fifth time.

3. Row Row Row your Boat especially when sang in rounds. Anything sung in rounds is annoying.

2. The Hokey Pokey is great when you are in a circle or even on roller skates but in the car it is extremely hard to do the Hokey Pokey because you can’t turn yourself about or put your whole self in or put your whole self out. It seems kind of counteractive to me.

1. 99 bottles of whatever on the wall. I am not sure I have ever made it through the whole song before. I would get to about 75 and give up.

Most of these songs are the same thing over and over again. The repeated singing can be annoying when you are in a car for hours or days at a time. I am definitely guilty of singing these songs when I was young. 

 

Have a Travel Plan B this Holiday Season

When you're making your travel plans this winter something you have to consider is the weather. The weather can be very unpredictable. You can plan your trip in advance and sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to.  It doesn't matter if you drive or if you fly the weather can really put a damper on your holiday celebrations. A lot of people like to drive on vacation because it's a more affordable for them especially if they have a big family. Distance also plays a factor but when it when the weather is bad what do you do?

 First thing is do not panic, when you drive in the winter it's a risk you take. That is why a lot of people decide to fly. It can be nerve racking to drive far in the winter.  However flying it's not an option for everyone. Flying somewhere that's only a few hours away doesn’t make sense. Some airports don’t have flights to that destination. If they do, they have a crazy connection city. You can be disappointing when your trip has problems but don't worry it shouldn’t ruin your celebrations.

Hotels don’t charge you until after you check in and most have a cancellation policy. It’s important to cancel your reservations as soon as you know you will not be able to make it.

Plan for delays and take extra time traveling. Safety is key. Keep an eye on the weather, if you can leave earlier or later to avoid a storm that may be a good option. Look for other routes, if you know a certain area is going to be slammed with snow, see if you can go another way to avoid it.

If the snow is just too bad, have a plan b. Plan b may not be as glamorous as going to the beach or going skiing but, you make do. You should have a list of activities you can do at home or around town. Create a movie party with snacks and popcorn and lots of hot chocolate, go bowling or have an upside down day where you stay in your jammies all day and eat breakfast for dinner. Get up late and stay up late. Turn off the technology and break out the board games and take time as a family just to hang out. Don’t forget to take a lot of silly pictures. Make cookies and make memories! You can always reschedule your trip when it is safe to travel.

Hopefully everyone travels safely this holiday season and check out
http://www.zeiglerchryslerdodge.com/