_____ Pain reliever _____ Allergy medication
_____ Thermometer _____ Sunscreen
_____ $2 set aside for weather radio
But, wait! I may not be at home when an emergency situation occurs and could be at work or traveling by car without a way of getting back to the great emergency kit I’ve created at home. Here are some great tips I’ve discovered from dmv.org about what to keep in my car if the unexpected should occur.
For commuting or traveling any great distance by car, packing an emergency kit may make the difference between getting back on the road soon or being stuck where you are for a period of time.
Such protection is something that every vehicle should have (along with a well-equipped first-aid kit). Yet most people carry only a few of the basic items they need to help them get back on the road quickly and safely if they run into a problem.
Above all, always carry the necessary equipment for changing a tire: a working jack, an inflated spare tire, a lug-nut wrench or tire iron and pipe for leverage. These items should always be stored in their designated place in your car’s trunk.
• Roadside flares • A first-aid kit
• Work gloves or latex gloves • Two quarts of oil
• Jumper cables • One gallon of antifreeze
• Brake fluid
• Extra fuses
• A blanket
• A flashlight w/ fresh batteries
• A Phillips head screwdriver
• A flat head screwdriver
• Vise grips
• An adjustable wrench
• A pair of pliers • A tire inflator
• A tire pressure gauge • Some rags and a funnel
• A roll of duct tape • A roll of paper towels
• A spray bottle w/ washer fluid • An ice scraper
• An AAA or roadside emergency card
• Triangle reflectors and flares
• A pocketknife • Bottled water
• Granola or energy bars • Good sturdy walking shoes
You can use a cardboard box or large plastic container (such as a milk crate) for storage, so that it doesn’t roll around in the trunk, and you can quickly find when you need it in an emergency. If space in your car is at a premium, you can use a basic version of the emergency kit— a small first-aid kit, two roadside flares, a quart of oil, extra fuses, a flashlight, a multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, a saw, a bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl, a tire inflator, some rags, a pocket knife and a help sign.
Some optional items to consider for your emergency kit include a Swiss Army knife, a good book, a pillow, a bathing suit, some tasty snacks and a beach chair.
If you live in an area with freezing temperatures during the winter, you should also keep a collapsible shovel in your car in case you have to dig your way out of ice, snow or even sand.
Before you actually find yourself in an emergency situation, take time to become familiar with the items you’ve collected and how to use them correctly, because simply having in them in your possession of ion is not enough. After all, it is easy to become flustered when the unexpected happens, and many of us (both male and female) are not too mechanically inclined.
Finally, having an emergency road kit may mean the difference between sitting on the side of the highway waiting for a tow truck or being able to make your way to your destination.
Our next article will outline simple ways to prepare for an emergency in your workplace.
