Ok, friends. I know that none of us expects that we’ll be in an emergency situation, but let’s be honest, it is terrifying to be in a situation and be totally unprepared to handle it. GOOD NEWS: you can easily prepare for most emergency situations you’ll encounter while on the road. In an effort to keep yourself and those who travel with you safe, below you will find a few lists of things you may need to be fully prepared to handle in an emergency situation.
First Aid kit. Some of the items to include are:
Ace bandage
Antiseptic
Band-Aids
Aspirin (or similar)
Antibiotic ointment
Hand sanitizer
Tweezers
Cotton balls
Bug spray
Bandana
Gauze pads
Fire extinguisher
Choose a small one that is easy to store.
Road flares
Spare tire
Tire jack
Tarp
Multipurpose tool
Duct tape
Flashlight and extra batteries
Rags
Rain ponchos
Drinking water and non-perishable snacks
Jumper cables
Scent-free baby wipes
Some optional items for your roadside kit include:
Collapsible shuttle
Ice scraper
Cat litter for slick roads
Small battery-powered fan
Blankets and/or warm clothing
Other Pro Tips of things you can keep in your car to be prepared for an emergency:
Cell phone car charger: Keeping your phone charged up when you're on the road can help you reach out for assistance in an emergency. In addition to a standard car charger, also consider a solar charger.
Cash for gas: If the power goes out due to inclement weather, it's nearly impossible to get gas with just your credit card. Cash always works, so keep some safely tucked away in your car.
Clean, empty, refillable gas jug: This won't fit in your every-day emergency kit, Just remember it's never safe to keep a full jug in your vehicle, as gas is highly flammable and unstable.
Check all car fluids before a long drive: including oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid. These should be clean and full to make sure your vehicle is running in tip-top shape.
Deck of cards, book, or other entertainment: Literally any kind of entertainment that doesn’t require technology. I know that as someone who’s every move uses her cellphone, it’s a hard pill to swallow that I may not have the ability to charge it should an emergency arise. So have options.
It doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the worst. It provides with peace of mind that you can handle any situation you end up in. I recommend plastic bins in the trunk so that you know exactly where everything is and can easily access the. So get your bags together and keep that trunk organized!