How to Safely Travel During Winter: A Guide for Independent Seniors
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How to Safely Travel During Winter: A Guide for Independent Seniors

During the cold St. Louis winter, travel can be more challenging. You may find yourself struggling with bad weather or unexpected emergencies. However, as an independent senior, you still want to be able to travel on your own. Try some of these tips for ensuring your overall safety and wellness when traveling during the cold winter months in Ballwin or Fenton. 

Packing Your Car

When you pack your car for winter travel, make sure you're prepared for the possibility that you might end up stranded. You might want to include items like:

  • A flashlight
  • Emergency blanket
  • A bag of cat litter to provide traction if needed
  • An ice scraper
  • Water and food
  • A snow shovel
  • A basic first aid kit

Keeping those items in your vehicle, where you can access them if needed, can help significantly in the event of a winter emergency.

Managing Your Trip Safely

When you're headed out through Ballwin or Fenton, you may want to take some extra precautions to ensure that you can safely navigate the road. Make sure to:

  • Check the weather before you leave. Make sure you know what the weather looks like in the areas you need to pass through as well as the areas where you plan to travel directly.
  • Stop if needed. You can pull over in a gas station, rest stop, or parking lot temporarily, or find a hotel for a longer stay if the weather turns uglier than anticipated. 
  • Stay on the main roads when you can. Main roads often receive more attention in snowy or icy weather. Furthermore, they have heavier traffic, which can help keep ice melted and roads clearer. 
  • Follow all traffic laws.
  • Keep pace with the general flow of traffic as much as you can. 
  • Take extra precautions. If you find yourself growing drowsy, struggling to pay attention, or drifting on the road, pull off and call for help if needed. 

Managing your trip safely on your own is often possible, but it's important to go into it prepared.

Signs You Should Consider Not Driving Alone

Traveling alone during all seasons may have been your go-to plan for a long time. However, as you age, you may start to notice signs that you should no longer complete a long trip by yourself.

  • You can no longer see clearly or have more trouble discerning the difference between black ice and puddles on the road. 
  • You start to feel drowsy after a short period of time behind the wheel or struggle to keep your attention on the road during long trips.
  • Your reflexes have slowed to the point that you may not feel comfortable addressing a potential hazard on the road. 

As you age, you may still have options for traveling that do not force you to travel alone. Consider bringing a friend, allowing a caretaker to travel with you even if you still drive, or taking shorter trips, which could prove safer in times of uncertain weather. 


Do you find yourself needing more help with basic care tasks and around the house this year? Senior Helpers St. Louis can help. If you're in the Arnold, Fenton, or St. Louis area, contact us to learn more about the services we can provide.