Car Information Station: Be Prepared with an Emergency Car Kit

The best thing you can do is to prepare for unexpected emergencies. Consider how much time you spend driving. Whether you are traveling back and forth to work or taking a trip, an emergency car kit can provide peace of mind for unforeseen events. Essential items included in emergency kits for cars will ensure that you are prepared for practically any situation.

What should be included in an emergency car kit? At the very least, you will need to have food and water in case you have to wait an extended period of time for help. The following are the basics that should be included in emergency kits for cars:

Food bars
Boxes of water
Water purification tablets
Rain poncho with a hood
Sleeping bag
First aid kit
Flashlight
Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
Duct tape
Swiss army knife or other utility knife
Matches and a lighter
Whistle

These items can be used to keep you comfortable and safe until help arrives. In a worse case scenario, you could be stranded for some time if your car becomes inoperable.

Many people keep emergency preparedness kits in their homes in the event that they are needed. Keeping one in your car is just as important. Even if you do not become stranded while driving somewhere, you may need to evacuate your home due to flooding, hurricanes or other situations.

Be prepared if you need to leave in a hurry. In the event of an emergency, you will not always have time to put everything together that is needed. Depending on the number of people in your household, you will want to add extra items or even more than one emergency car kit to your vehicle. There should be enough food and water for each person as well as items needed to keep warm.

Often people keep some items in their car such as jumper cables, road cones and flares, but emergency kits for cars can actually save your life. If you are traveling and an unexpected snow or ice storm hits, the best thing you can do is to stay in your car until help arrives. There have been many instances where people have tried to walk to safety when their car became stranded. This is not recommended. In a blinding snow storm it is easy to become disoriented and get lost.

Staying in your car and keeping warm is your best chance for survival. Being prepared by including an emergency car kit in your trunk will allow you to stay warm even if your car will not run. The other items in the emergency kit such as water are necessary for survival as well.

Even if you run out of food, water can keep you alive. This is another reason for including water purification tablets. If needed, snow can be melted and purified to provide this essential need. Make certain the emergency kits for cars contain at least three days worth of the necessary items for survival.