Taking care of your car is the best way to be prepared for an automotive emergency -- you'll avoid having one! But sometimes no matter how careful we are, we're presented with a situation that's less than friendly. If you find yourself stranded due to a breakdown, are you prepared to handle the situation safely? I've found the most important five pounds in the trunk to be my emergency preparedness kit. Do you have one? Do you have one in each one of your vehicles? If you don't, now is the time! Winter weather is especially dangerous to be stranded in. A good emergency kit can be purchased for not much money, or you can assemble your own kit. Whichever you choose, be sure you have one.
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OK. Agreed, you need an emergency kit. But what do you put in it? It really depends on where you are, and the time of year. Duck Tape, reflective triangles, flashlight, plain end and phillips screw drivers, a pair of pliers and a bottle or two of water is a given. But you should add a blanket if you’re from the north in the wintertime, and extra water if you’re in the south. If you’re renting a car, a disposable camera, unless your cell is of decent quality so you can document the problems you had – don’t forget to photograph any receipts for part you bought to get you back on the road. Lastly, $20 and $2 in quarters – in case the only problem is you forgot your wallet … and to fill-up before driving to Timbuktu. The quarters are in case you forgot your wallet and your cell phone.
OK. Agreed, you need to have an emergency kit. But what do
you put in the kit?
The essential kit has:
Duck tape
Electrical tape
Phillips and plain end screw drivers
Pliers
Flashlight
A bottle or two of waters
A $20 bill and $2 in quarters
But then it depends on where you are and the time of year as to what else you add. Northerner’s in the wintertime should add a heavy blanket. Summer conditions or year-long in the south; extra water. If you’re renting a car, a disposable camera to document the trouble, and don’t forget to photograph any receipts of stuff you bought to get you back on the road, or professional help you needed to hire. Make sure you get the rental agency’s approval, before spending any of your money.