Create an Emergency Kit for Your Car
When you’re on the road, whether you’re on a road trip or running errands, the last thing you want is to be stuck without provisions during an emergency. While you hope it never happens, these things are unpredictable and you want to be as prepared as possible for the various situations that can occur. Here’s what you need to create your own emergency kit for your car.
First-Aid Kit
You should have a first aid kit in your car at all time. Whenever you use an item, be sure to replace it right away. Items that should be in your first-aid kit include: bandages and sterile dressing gauze in different sizes, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, a list of emergency numbers, and an up-to-date first-aid manual. If you’re on the road and someone has an accident, you want these items on hand.
Food and Water
In the event you become stranded in the middle of nowhere and have to wait for help to arrive, it’s a good idea to have food and bottled water in your emergency kit. Granola and energy bars are a good choice as they will last a while. Sealed jerky is another food item that will keep for a number of months. Food and bottled water should be swapped out for fresh ones every six months.
Extra Clothes
In the event you’re stuck in the car late at night or during winter and without heat in the car, you’ll want to have extra clothes and a couple blankets to help keep warm. Don’t forget to include gloves, hats, scarves and wool socks during the winter months. It wouldn’t hurt to also keep an umbrella with your emergency supplies. If you have a baby or toddler, keep a few extra diapers in your emergency kit as well.
Car Tools
If your car has trouble, you’ll want to be able to deal with the issue yourself if possible rather than waiting for help to arrive. You should keep a gas can in your car if you run out of gas and can walk to get some. Other items to keep in your car include: a spare tire and jack, jumper cables, a small tool kit, antifreeze, and oil. To be able to successfully help yourself, it’s a good idea to learn how to replace a tire, patch a tire with a hold in it, and top up oils.
Miscellaneous Items
Other items that will come in handy during an emergency include: a flashlight, extra batteries, roadside flares or glow sticks, paper towels or rags, and pen and paper. If you’re caught in the dark or hard to see area, a flashlight or flares will help people find you more easily.
You can keep the clothes, first aid kit, food and water, and miscellaneous items together in a duffel bag so they don’t get misplaced or used during non-emergency situations. Creating an emergency kit for your car will help you to feel more in control and less helpless during any situation you may face. It might seem like a lot of items, but you’d rather be over-prepared than under-prepared.