Most drivers know that keeping a few emergency items in their vehicle is a smart idea – but few of us do it! We always plan to buy the necessary supplies, but other things seem more important.
But if you keep procrastinating on your car security purchases, you’ll end up empty-handed when you really need them! You don’t need to buy everything at the auto supply store. Just keep these 5 items in your vehicle:
Roadside Kit: This should include road flares, a small tool kit, a small red flag that can be tied to your car antenna, a small fire extinguisher and a flashlight. Extra batteries for the flashlight should also be in the kit, although you might consider purchasing the new style of “shake” flashlight that requires no batteries. Any other items that might be needed in a breakdown – such as jumper cables or a jack – should also be part of this kit.
First Aid Kit: Every vehicle should have a First Aid kit for medical emergencies. Among the items in the kit should be bandages, medical tape, scissors, rubber gloves, alcohol swabs, antibiotic ointment, aspirin or other painkillers, a CPR mask and any other emergency supplies that are relevant to your family, such as an extra Epi-Pen if a family member has dangerous allergies.
Emergency Kit: This kit should include any items that you would need if you became stranded for a period of time. Bottles of water, some energy or granola food bars, and a thin blanket are necessities. (You can buy thin, reflective emergency blankets at sporting goods stores for just a few bucks.) You might also want to add hand or feet warmers, like the kind used by hunters and outdoorsman, especially if your climate tends to be exceptionally cold in the winter.
These items can be gathered together and placed in a plastic tub or bin in the trunk of your vehicle.
You’ll also need a few items in the front of your car, too. Consider purchasing:
Punch/Life Hammer: These hammers or spring-loaded punches are designed to shatter your windshield or car windows in the event of an emergency. If the power windows and locks on your vehicle are disabled for some reason, and you need to exit the car immediately, the Life Hammer or punch will help you break a window to escape.
Pepper Spray: In today’s age, it never hurts to be security conscious. Many people – particularly women – carry pepper spray on their keychain. However, in the event of a real emergency or panic situation, keychain pepper spray is hard to retrieve and activate in a timely manner. Keep a canister of pepper spray in an easy-to-reach spot – such as clipped to the visor – and check it regularly to ensure it’s working properly.
Almost all of these basics can be purchased at any major discount department store. For less than $100, you can be prepared for any emergency that you might encounter while in your car.
