What to Keep in Your Vehicle Emergency Kit
Nobody likes to think about the dangers of driving a vehicle; however these situations are not always avoidable. To ensure you are ready should an emergency situation occur there are a few items you should always keep in your car.
The essentials
Jumper cables, an ice scraper and tire gauge are just a few of the essential items you should keep in your car in case of an emergency. Should your car ever breakdown, jumper cables will get you started again. If jumper cables don’t work, having a tow strap in your car will allow you to attach the front of your car to the hitch of another car while it drives you to safety. However, both of these options require a second car and if you are stranded in the middle of nowhere, they will be of no help to you. Backup power, such as a portable power-pack eliminates the need for another car to jumpstart you. If you live in a cold weather area, ice scrapers are a must, even for daily use. They remove ice and snow from your windows and help improve visibility. However in cold weather that may not be enough and an auto heater or auto defroster may want to be considered. This machine plugs into your vehicles 12-volt power port and will defrost your windows while heating up your car.
Extra equipment
Depending on how prepared you want to be, there are extra vehicle components and equipment you may want to have in handy during an emergency. It is always good to keep extra car fluids in your car should you run out. These fluids include motor oil, wiper fluid and antifreeze. Make sure you know how to refill your car with these fluids, so you do not cause any damage to your vehicle. For quick fixes, many auto stores sell coolant repair kits and tape to patch up any holes in your hoses and keeping a toolset in your car will allow you to tighten any loose screws and bolts. If it’s dark keeping a flashlight in the car will help in looking under the hood or undercarriage of your car. Just remember to have extra batteries and a bulb available. Folding shovels are available to fit in your trunk and can be used to dig yourself out of muddy or icy situations. For extreme circumstances a fire extinguisher and life hammer are two small items that could be the difference between life and death.
Others
One of the most important things you can have with you during an emergency is a cell phone. Make sure your cell phone is charged when you leave the house, or leave a car charger in your car. Some areas have limited service and may not give the dispatcher your location and phone number so make sure to mention these when you place your phone call. Other items that may be useful should you become stranded are non-perishable food, water bottles, warm blankets and a first aid kit.
There are pre-made kits you can buy that include some of the items listed above, but it is a perfect fit for your situation we recommend making the kit yourself. When preparing your kit, always take into consideration the weather you will be driving in, the distance of your trip and the condition of your vehicle. That way should an emergency arise, you will be fully prepared.