Is Your Car Prepped With an Emergency Kit?

Is Your Car Prepped With an Emergency Kit?

(SurvivalDaily.com) – It’s important to be prepared for just about anything, anywhere you might go – especially when traveling in a vehicle. You never know when it might break down, pop a tire, or even be involved in a wreck. Having an emergency kit ready at all times can save you a lot of hassle if disaster strikes.

The Essentials

No matter where you are in the world, there are a few items you should always have in your car:

  • Water is important to the human body no matter where you live or where you’re stranded. You can’t store a ton of water in your car. However, you can have a narrow water container or case of bottled water in there.
  • Food is also necessary for survival. At least you can last longer without it than you can with water. MREs are a great way to store food in your car, but temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit can shorten their shelf life. If you live where your car is going to exceed these temperatures frequently, consider storing calorie food bars instead.
  • Tools are vital when a car breaks down or something is loose, so keep some simple tools in your car for tightening anything that may need it. You should also have a car jack and tire iron in your car in case of a flat tire. Other tools to consider keeping in your car include jumper cables, tow straps/ropes, a shovel, pocket knife and compass.
  • A first aid kit is extremely important if you get stranded and hurt. It could come in handy if you get into an accident and need to apply first aid before help arrives.
  • Two-way radio and batteries are never bad to have in your car. They can contact help in an emergency or keep you updated on an emergency in your area. Keep spare batteries in case the ones in your radio die and aren’t rechargeable. Radios with car charging ports, solar panels or cranks are great because they don’t need batteries.
  • Lights provide you with the ability to see in darker areas. You can also obtain emergency lights that you can place on your car or around it to let people know you’re there.

For Cold Climates

Not everyone gets to have the luxury of living where the climate stays nice. Snowy or icy roads can pose a serious problem and leave you stranded. With these subzero temperatures or anything below freezing, there are certain things the body needs. Some cars actually have cold weather features built into them simply because the cold is hard on our vehicles.

On top of the essentials, which should be in your car no matter what, you should have gloves and blankets if you live in a colder climate. Gloves help you keep your hands warm, and some also allow you to grab onto items that may be too hot or cold for bare skin.

The human body can only stay warm for so long on its own. You should always have extra layers, blankets and other sources of heat in your car in case of an emergency or you get stranded.

You never know when your car may break down; people usually don’t. That’s why it’s so important to prepare for anything. Being stranded can be dangerous, especially in harsh climates such as extreme heat or cold. You need to be sure that you have whatever you deem necessary — ultimately, your survival is up to you. As always, remember to be safe and stay prepared.

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