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WINTER VACATION SAFETY TIPS

December 23, 2016 || Destin Locksmithing 

Here in Destin, we love our beaches and warm weather. That’s why we live here, after all. But every once in awhile, you may feel the need for a bit of a change. While all the cold-weather folks are flocking to Florida for their winter vacation, do the opposite and take your family to experience snow over Christmas for a fun change of pace.

Snowy destinations like Colorado are beautiful, and that can be a memorable way to give your kids their first experience with snow, but the difference in weather conditions means you need to do things a little differently while you’re visiting that colder climate. If you’re planning a snowy Christmas vacation, be sure to do some research before you go. You may need to know how to open a locked car that has frozen shut! We at Destin Locksmithing want you to stay safe on your holiday trip, so we’ve compiled a list of tips to keep in mind:

Winter Driving

One of the biggest differences between Florida and colder locales is driving. Road conditions are vastly different, so you cannot drive like you normally would at home. If you’re driving on snow or ice, stopping takes a lot longer. Give plenty of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you and be sure to begin stopping sooner. Also, be sure to avoid gunning it. Quick acceleration can make your car spin out.

Pick the Right Car

If you’re flying and renting a car, snowy mountain driving is not the time to go the economical rental route. The best cars for handling snow and ice are 4-wheel and all-wheel cars, but rear-wheel drive will handle the conditions better than front-wheel drive.


If you find that your car doors freeze shut while visiting, try these steps from the auto locksmiths at Destin Locksmithing to get in your vehicle:

  1. Push on the doors – the ice shouldn’t be thick, so occasionally all your car needs is a bit of a shove to break that seal.
  2. Chip at it – use something that won’t damage the paint of the car, such as an ice scraper or hotel key card to chip the ice away.
  3. Use water – if the ice is too thick, pour lukewarm (not hot) water to melt the ice. Or, if you have access, spray a de-icer to it.
  4. Use a blow dryer – if you have a battery powered blow dryer or a long enough cord, the heat from a blow dryer will melt the ice quickly.
  5. Warm the key – use a lighter to heat the key and push through the ice on the lock. However, do this step only for entirely metal keys. Do not heat a key with an electronic key fob.

PROTECT YOUR HOME

You don’t want to invite thieves to visit while you’re out of town. See our previous blog with tips on deterring burglars, and don’t forget to lock up and arm your security system before you go. Give us a call at Destin Locksmithing to check your system, install better locks, and offer advice to protect your home while you’re on vacation. Call today to set up a consultation!

A man is looking at a car door with a magnifying glass.

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