Explore the best scenic drives in Victoria and discover hidden gems and stunning landscapes. These road trips and scenic drives celebrate the diversity of the Victorian landscape, with many not far from Melbourne.
Travel
10 things to do before you go on holiday
Holidaymakers and motorists are urged to keep safety at the forefront of their plans ahead of the festive season. Here are some useful tips to address potential risks at home and on the road.
Victorians are advised to remain vigilant about road safety and home security risks on the eve of the state’s summer holiday period.
Across Victoria, an expected uptick in travel to regional hot spots and holiday destinations is tipped to create busy conditions on the state’s freeways and arterials, while changed driving conditions brought on by extreme weather events such as floods could pose more difficult driving conditions than usual, particulary in regional Victoria.
RACV General Manager Automotive Services, Jackie Pedersen, says it’s important that everyone who takes to the road is aware of the effects of unseasonal rain and flooding in October and November.
“Heavy rain – brought on by the La Niña weather phase – has contributed to flooding that has deteriorated the quality of roads, causing potholes and other hazards for road-users,” Ms Pedersen says.
“Whether you’re using roads you’re familiar with, or driving to a new regional location, it’s very important that you plan ahead and be prepared for increased traffic and different driving conditions.
Motorists should check that their roadside assistance and car insurance policy is up to date before they leave, and be wary of encountering potholes on the road. Pederson also advises motorists to undertake some basic car maintenance safety checks before hitting the road.
“It’s very good practice to get in the habit of also checking the fluid levels under the bonnet, including oil, coolant and even the windscreen washer level. Checking tyre pressure is also a must,” Pedersen says.
How to make your home safe over Christmas
RACV Head of Home Insurance, Kirsty Hayes, says there are simple precautions that you can take to make your home safer over Christmas.
“Christmas lights are a beautiful way to decorate at Christmas, but using power boards in your home can be risky if not used properly. It is important to ensure that you don’t overload power boards by attaching double adaptors or additional extension cords to them. It’s also important to use good quality power boards with overload protection,” Hayes says.
“Candles add a festive ambience to your home, but they must never be left unattended and always be extinguished before you leave a room. Never touch or move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is liquefied.”
“Most house fires start in the kitchen. It is important to have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in an accessible area of your kitchen. If you don’t own a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket, they are great items to add to your Christmas list.”
10 things to do before you go on holiday
Avoid leaving noticeable signs of being away from home. Image: Getty.
Organise your furry friends before hitting the road. Image: Getty.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
