Guarding your School Holidays, Road Trips & Easter Eggs
By Gawie van der Walt
Easter Weekend in South Africa has a way of sneaking up on us. One moment you’re packing school lunches, the next you’re loading the car for a long weekend, hiding Easter eggs in the garden, and trying to keep the kids from eating half the stash before sunrise.
It’s a time filled with family, faith, rest and celebration. But it’s also one of the busiest, most unpredictable weekends of the year. After more than four decades in the insurance world, I’ve learned that Easter brings its own unique set of risks. And when things go wrong, they tend to go wrong fast.
That’s why I put together this Easter Safety Checklist. It’s practical and based on real experiences from our G&S Insurance clients.
A Real Easter Weekend Emergency on the Vaal River
A few years ago, one of our long‑time clients spent Easter with his extended family at the Vaal River. It was the perfect long weekend: kids fishing off the jetty, adults relaxing around the fire, the smell of boerewors drifting through the air.
Late on the Saturday evening, while relaxing around the fire, he slipped and, in an instant, fell forward into the open fire. His family reacted quickly, pulling him out and rushing him to the nearest hospital. He suffered severe burns to his hands and arms and needed emergency treatment.
He recovered well, but the incident put a damper on the rest of the weekend. What was meant to be a peaceful Easter turned into a chaotic scramble.
It’s a reminder that accidents don’t wait for convenient moments. They don’t care that it’s a holiday. They don’t care that you’re surrounded by family. They happen in seconds.
And that’s why preparation of the Easter Safety Checklist matters.
A Parent’s Perspective
I asked Angelique du Toit, part of our G&S Insurance team and mother of two toddlers, what Easter looks like in her home. She smiled and said something every parent will understand: “Easter with toddlers is basically a mixture of joy, chaos, and trying to stop someone from eating foil-wrapped eggs with the foil still on.”
Her words capture the heart of this season perfectly. Easter is beautiful, but it’s busy. It’s fun, but it’s unpredictable. And when you add travel, visitors, braais, sugar highs and school holidays into the mix, you get a weekend that needs a little extra planning.
Your Easter Safety Checklist for 2026
Below is a practical, creative and genuinely useful checklist to help you enjoy the long weekend with peace of mind.
1. Preparing for the Road Trip
Easter traffic is among the heaviest of the year, and road accidents in South Africa spike dramatically over this weekend. Before you leave home, take a moment to prepare properly.
- Check your tyres for tread, cracks and correct pressure.
- Test your lights, indicators and wipers.
- Pack an emergency kit with a first-aid kit, torch, jumper cables, a reflective triangle, bottled water, and a power bank.
- Make sure your insurance details and roadside assistance numbers are saved on your phone. That includes the number of your trusty G&S Insurance Advisor.
- Rest properly before driving. Fatigue is one of the biggest contributors to Easter accidents.
- Don’t forget to check for those unexpected potholes, especially in wet weather.
A safe journey starts long before you turn the key.
2. Braai Safety for the Long Weekend
Braais are part of our DNA, especially over Easter. But they’re also one of the most common sources of holiday accidents.
- Keep small children away from the braai area.
- Never use petrol or flammable liquids to start a fire.
- Check gas braais for leaks using soapy water.
- Keep a bucket of sand or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Ensure the braai is stable and on level ground.
A relaxed braai can turn dangerous in seconds, as our Vaal River client learned the hard way.
My personal favourite is to ALWAYS keep BurnShield close by, especially when the kids and grandkids are around. April is not called Burn Prevention Month for nothing.
3. Food Safety for Outdoor Gatherings
Warm weather and outdoor meals create the perfect environment for food poisoning. It’s more common over Easter than most people realise.
- Keep cold food properly chilled in cooler boxes.
- Avoid leaving food out for more than two hours.
- Reheat leftovers until they are steaming hot.
- Keep raw meat separate from cooked food and snacks.
- Be cautious with mayonnaise-based salads in the sun.
A little care goes a long way in preventing a very unpleasant holiday memory.
4. Keeping Your Home Safe While You’re Away
If you’re travelling, your home needs attention too.
- Test your alarm and backup battery.
- Avoid posting your travel plans on social media.
- Check that all windows, gates and sliding doors are locked.
- Use timers for lights if possible.
- Ask a neighbour to keep an eye out if you trust them.
If you’re hosting instead of travelling, secure valuables and ensure your pool gate is locked and functioning.
5. Keeping Kids Safe During the Chaos
Children move fast, especially when fueled by chocolate.
- Check play equipment for loose bolts or sharp edges.
- Supervise trampolines and pools closely.
- Keep small eggs away from toddlers to prevent choking.
- Monitor sugar intake to avoid the inevitable crash (and chaos).
- Avoid social gatherings and family outings near open water if you have small kids.
One of my clients told me the story of how she fell into the water as a two-year-old one night while her dad was fishing at the Barage Dam and the rest of the family was sleeping. That was after her sister had drowned in their Alberante garden pond four years earlier. Luckily, her dad saw her gown floating on the water in front of him and pulled her out in the nick of time!
Kids don’t need much to turn a peaceful day into a medical emergency. Check your emergency numbers on your cell phone one more time!
6. Preparing for the Unexpected
Easter has a way of throwing curveballs.
- Use surge protectors to protect appliances from power fluctuations.
- Secure outdoor furniture in case of sudden weather changes.
- Keep emergency contacts saved and accessible.
- Know your medical aid and insurance details.
- Have a plan for minor injuries, burns or allergic reactions.
Preparation doesn’t remove risk, but it gives you control when things go wrong.
A Final Word on the G&S Easter Safety Checklist
Easter remains one of my favourite times of the year. It’s a chance to slow down, reconnect and make memories that last. But it’s also a time when small oversights can lead to big problems.
At G&S Insurance, we believe in helping families protect the life they’re building, not just the assets they own. Whether you’re travelling, hosting a party, or simply enjoying a quiet weekend at home, a little preparation can make all the difference.
From our family to yours, may your Easter be safe, joyful and filled with moments worth remembering.
Easter Holiday Emergency Numbers
- GS Insurance Emergency Number: 083 262 1017
- Santam Emergency Number: 0860 505 911
- ONE Emergency Number: 0861 000 286
- Discovery Emergency Number: 0860 999 911
- Momentum Emergency Number: 0860 784 767
- Old Mutual Insure Emergency Number: 0800 247 365
- CIA Emergency Number: 0861 242 911
- Hollard Insure Emergency Number: 0860 123 3279
About Gawie van der Walt
With more than 40 years of experience as a financial advisor, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals, families, and businesses build secure financial futures. As the owner of G&S Insurance Consultants, I’ve worked across every major area of financial planning, including investment planning, estate planning, business life insurance, retirement planning, business insurance, family provision, medical aid, short‑term insurance, and the establishment of emergency funds. Beyond my professional life, I’m a proud father of four and grandfather of eight, and in 2025, I even claimed the title of Run‑the‑Berg Champion in my age category, proof that discipline and endurance matter both in finance and in life.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. G&S Insurance Consultants is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 14200).