Summer is the most popular time of year for vacations, with peak travel season running from late June through early August ─ and July being the busiest month of all. Many travelers already have trips booked. But have they taken the right steps to help ensure those travels are safe and worry‑free?

The American Red Cross offers 15 steps to help travelers safely enjoy their trips:

 BEFORE YOU GO

1.     Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Find all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

2.     Let family and friends know your itinerary and how to reach you. Include where you will be visiting, staying, and be sure to let them know if your plans change.

3.     Make copies of your travel documents and keep electronic copies as backups.

4.     Make sure the people in your group know everyone’s cell phone number and other emergency contacts. Select an out-of-area person to contact in case your group is separated during an emergency and cell service or internet access is disrupted.

5.     Find out what natural disasters may occur at your destination and how officials notify everyone about an emergency.

WHERE ARE YOU STAYING? Safety is just as important when people are away from home.

If you are staying in a hotel or motel:

6.     Stay in places that have hard-wired smoke alarms and an automatic fire sprinkler system in each guest room.

7.     Read the evacuation plan carefully.

8.     Find the two closest exits from your room.

9.     Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will help if you need to get out in the dark.

10.  Find the fire alarms on your floor.

Do your plans include a vacation rental?

11.  Make sure everyone knows the address where you are staying.

12.  Check that there are working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home.

13.  There should be working carbon monoxide alarms on every level as well.

14.  Everyone should know two ways out of every room if there is an emergency.

15.  Make sure you can open all doors and windows that lead outside.

BONUS TIP ─ ARE YOU DRIVING? Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink. Let someone know where you are going, your route and when you expect to get there. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.