You An emergency kit is something that most people overlook. Not until they are faced with a breakdown and they have an empty trunk. Let’s face it, car breakdowns do not happen on busy roads with great weather and smooth mobile reception. Most of the time, our cars break down at night, during winter or in remote areas. So now, open your trunk. There is nothing right? No worries, you can fill an emergency kit with these essentials.
1. Portable Jump Starter
Jumper cables can take a lot of valuable space in your trunk. A portable jump starter is smaller than the cables and the lithium battery. A portable jump starter is slightly the size of 4 DVDs stuck up together. This is one of the most important in your emergency kit. Cars are prone to breakdowns even if they are checked regularly. With a portable jump starter, you can charge your phone.
2. A working phone
Mostly, this is always with you but you have to ensure it is properly working and completely charged. Although the jump starter might charge it, you never know, the jump starter might also be uncharged. A mobile phone could allow you to call for the much-needed help.
3. A First Aid Kit
This should have been the number one on top of the list. Reason being that it is the most important of all. Health emergencies are bound to happen whether you were in an emergency or not. Some people tend to nosebleed; especially they are on a long distance trip.
A first aid kit should come in handy in such situations. A first aid kit has an adhesive tape, painkillers antiseptic wipes, and ointment. Those are just a few of the important things but the most compulsory ones.
4. A Car Cover and a Poncho
You can never be assured that your car can only break down when the weather is just cool. What if the car stopped in winter in the middle of nowhere with no shade? What if you get help but you have to leave your car behind? Of course, you will need to leave it covered. Car covers are meant to protect your car from harsh climates and dust. This is great if you have to leave your car for a long time.
5. Three Reflective Cautioning Triangles
There are packaged emergency kits. They come with one warning triangle. However, it is advisable to use three cautioning triangles that are set 50 meters apart. This is to warn incoming traffic and attract help.
6. Tire Gauge for Your Spare Tire
This is recommended for checking the state of pressure of your spare tire. You should check the spare tire regularly. This is to ensure that you have a tire that has full air pressure. People tend to ignore the tire gauge until they have a flat and find that the spare is flat too.
7. Tow Ropes
This one should be strong enough such that it supports a heavy object. It should be able to take up to 55,000 tons of weight to be precise.
8. The car’s Manual
You should keep your car’s manual safely. When you remove it, be sure to place it back well. Safe places you can keep it is the glove box and in the pockets in your car. This booklet contains guides and tips on how you can troubleshoot some problems.
9. A Roll of Tissue Paper
Maybe you have overlooked tissues in a car and you are thinking why in the world I would be listing it. Well, our bodies are always unpredictable so this tissue might come in handy in that kind of emergency. Sometimes, you will need to wipe off fog or spills in your and windows. So consider a high quality tissue roll. Dust can also evade your windscreen and instead of washing, you can just wipe it off.
10. Cash
A little cash should also be kept in a very safe place in your car where it is not likely to be seen. Money can be used in various ways especially in an emergency. You can also use the cash to buy food before help arrives. However, it doesn’t have to be a large amount of cash 50 to 60 dollars is just enough.
11. Water
Water can be a lifesaver and it astonishes how people take it for granted. You can use water to quench a thirsty radiator. In case of accidents, water can be used to clean wounds. Ten liters would be a good amount than completely lacking.
12. Air Compressor
It does not matter whether your tires are new or they have just been filled. Cold weather can cause the loss of pressure in a tire. This is why you need to consider having an air compressor in your trunk. So get the best air compressor for that unpredictable urgency.
13. A Tool Kit
You surely do not need to be a mechanic to have a toolbox. A toolbox may include sockets, pliers, screwdriver, gloves and many more. You may not even know how to fix a minor problem but a fellow motorist could and this tool would be of good use.
14. A warm blanket
This would be of good use in cold weather with a broken down car. There are times when you will have to even spend a night in your waiting for help. With a blanket, you just cover your car with a car cover and bundle up in the car with your warm blanket.
15. Non-Perishable Food or Snacks
Hunger is also an emergency and sometimes you will have to be stuck in your car for hours before your next stop. Nonperishables can push you another mile before your next stop Examples of this is nuts, they can keep your stomach for a short time.
Conclusion
Creating an emergency kit is something that you do when you first become a licensed driver. If you do not have one, then you need to create one as soon as possible.
No one can predict an emergency. Creating a kit for such could be a lifesaver for you and also a fellow motorist. The items I have listed above are easily available and cheap. You don’t have to break your bank to have them.
Being stranded in the middle of nowhere is not a fun thing at all. Unfortunately, most people do not see the need of having an emergency kit. Not until they are actually involved in that kind of emergency. So make sure you have a functional emergency kit sooner.
