December is full of holiday shopping, road trips, decorations, and celebrations, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for car-related incidents. From crowded parking lots to temperature swings, your auto glass faces more risks than you may realize.
At 11 Bravo Mobile Auto Glass, we want you to enjoy a safe and damage-free holiday season. That’s why we’re sharing 12 Days of Auto Glass Safety Tips to help protect your windshield and windows during the holiday rush.
📞 Make windshield safety part of your holiday checklist—call 602-423-0040 today!
🎄 Day 1: Be Mindful in Crowded Shopping Lots
Holiday shopping means packed parking lots and frustrated drivers trying to squeeze into tight spots.
🚗 Avoid This:
- Slamming doors too hard—the vibrations can worsen existing chips.
- Parking near busy cart returns—runaway carts can crack your windshield.
- Hitting poles or signs while rushing into a space—always park carefully!
💡 Pro Tip: Park away from high-traffic areas and use a windshield cover if you’re parked all day.
🎄 Day 2: Watch for Falling Decorations & Tree Branches
Even in Arizona, holiday decorations on houses and businesses can be a risk.
🚨 Common Risks:
- Loose holiday lights or décor falling onto your windshield.
- Tree branches snapping off in high winds or storms.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid parking under trees or near buildings with heavy decorations.
🎄 Day 3: Don’t Overload Your Car with Holiday Gifts
Transporting big gifts or Christmas trees? Make sure nothing presses against your windshield from the inside!
🎁 Safe Transport Tips:
✅ Secure large gifts in the trunk or cargo area.
✅ Never rest boxes or trees against the glass—pressure can cause cracks.
✅ If transporting a Christmas tree on the roof, use proper tie-downs.
🎄 Day 4: Be Cautious of Road Debris on Holiday Trips
Many families take holiday road trips, which means more windshield exposure to debris.
🚛 How to Protect Your Windshield:
✔ Stay back from large trucks that can kick up rocks.
✔ Avoid construction zones where loose debris is common.
✔ Drive cautiously in rural areas where gravel roads increase chip risks.
🎄 Day 5: Watch Out for Cold Desert Nights
Even though Arizona doesn’t get extreme winter weather, nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing in higher elevations like Flagstaff and Sedona.
🌡 Why It Matters:
- Glass contracts at night, making small cracks spread.
- Morning defrosting on high heat can cause fractures.
💡 Pro Tip: Warm up your windshield gradually instead of blasting heat immediately.
🎄 Day 6: Keep Wiper Blades in Top Shape
Rain, dust, and foggy mornings make wipers more important than ever in the winter months.
🚨 Signs It’s Time to Replace Wipers:
❌ Streaking or smearing water
❌ Skipping across the glass
❌ Squeaking sounds
💡 Pro Tip: Replace wipers every 6-12 months and use a winter-safe washer fluid.
🎄 Day 7: Never Pour Hot Water on an Icy Windshield
If you’re heading to the mountains, you might encounter morning frost. Do not pour hot water on your windshield to speed up defrosting!
🚨 Bad Idea!
- Sudden temperature changes can crack the glass instantly.
- Hot water causes thermal stress, especially if there’s already a chip.
💡 Pro Tip: Use lukewarm water or an ice scraper instead.
🎄 Day 8: Drive Cautiously on Holiday Roads
With more people traveling, roads become busier and more dangerous.
🚗 Stay Safe by:
✅ Giving yourself extra time—no need to rush for last-minute gifts!
✅ Keeping a safe following distance to avoid rock chips.
✅ Watching for black ice in high-elevation areas.
📞 Need a quick windshield check before a trip? Call 602-423-0040!
🎄 Day 9: Store Your Car Smartly During Holiday Travels
Leaving town for the holidays? Make sure your car is protected while you’re away.
🚗 Best Practices:
✔ Park in a garage or covered parking.
✔ If parking outside, use a windshield cover.
✔ Avoid leaving your car near trees or areas with heavy decorations.
🎄 Day 10: Don’t Leave Gifts or Valuables in Your Car
The holidays bring more than just cheer—they also bring thieves looking for easy targets.
🚨 Why This Matters:
- Thieves often break side windows to steal items left in plain sight.
- Smash-and-grab crimes increase in December, especially in shopping centers.
- Auto glass replacement may be necessary if a break-in occurs.
💡 Pro Tip: Always take your gifts inside and never leave valuables in your car overnight.
📞 Need a window replacement after a break-in? Call 602-423-0040!
🎄 Day 11: Get Small Chips Fixed Before They Get Worse
🚨 A tiny chip today can turn into a major crack tomorrow! Cold nights and holiday travel make windshield damage spread faster.
📞 Don’t risk it! Call 602-423-0040 for a quick and easy repair.
🎄 Day 12: Schedule Your Windshield Replacement Before the New Year
Why wait? If your windshield has major cracks, the holidays are a perfect time to replace it before the new year rush.
🎁 Why Book Now?
✔ Less waiting time before holiday travel spikes.
✔ Many insurance plans reset deductibles in January.
✔ Safer driving before winter road trips!
📞 Need a replacement? Call 602-423-0040 before the year ends!
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Windshield Safe This Holiday Season!
🎄 The holidays should be stress-free—don’t let a windshield issue ruin your plans! 🎄
By following these 12 Days of Auto Glass Safety Tips, you can protect your windshield, prevent damage, and stay safe on the road this December.
🚗 From all of us at 11 Bravo Mobile Auto Glass, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
📞 Need an inspection, repair, or replacement? Call 602-423-0040 today!