How to Create an Emergency Car Kit

You never want it to happen, but it does happen. Even the most reliable cars can break down, often in the most inconvenient places and times. You can be prepared for any situation by preparing a emergency car kit before you next hit the road. After all, you probably have one for your home; shouldn't you have one for your vehicle too?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shatter-proof storage box
• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water
• Jumper cables
• Flares
• Blankets
• Hammer
• Cash and change
• Plastic bag and electrical tape
• Jack
• Flashlight or wind up flashlight
• Pack of batteries
• Spare tire
• Can of Fix-a-Flat
• Wrench
• Battery-operated jump-start kit
• Shovel
• Towel

How to Create an Emergency Car Kit

1. Start with a shatter-proof plastic box, such as a toolbox or a storage box.

2. Add the essentials that FEMA recommends: food, water, first-aid supplies, flares, jumper cables and seasonal supplies. This obviously means non-perishable food and bottled water.

3. When packing all other supplies, consider human safety before you consider your car. While it's great to have 4 extra tires, that means nothing when it's snowing and you can't change the tire anyway. That being said, keep heavy blankets in your trunk--one for each family member who usually travels with you.

4. Include a hammer or another essential tool for breaking glass. This should be kept in the front instead of in the kit itself. If your car should ever go underwater, you will want this to break the windows to escape.

5. Extra cash and change. No one realizes the need for payphones when there are cell phones everywhere now, but when you're stranded and have a low battery, you'll sure be glad you have those quarters.

6. A plastic bag or other form of plastic covering and electrical tape. If your window is smashed, you'll want to be able to drive to a mechanic instead of getting it towed for a superficial problem.

7. Add essentials to fix car maintenance issues, whether you're handy or not. Sometimes a Good Samaritan will stop to help, but it's impossible without the right tools. Make sure you stock a jack, flashlight, pack of batteries (do not stock the batteries in the flashlight for risk of corrosion!) or wind-up flashlight, spare tire, can of Fix-a-Flat, a wrench, and a battery-operated jump-start kit (this must be plugged in at home periodically). It may seem like going overboard, but if you need them, you'll be glad you have them.

8. You should always also have a shovel, in case you end up snowed in, whether it's at work in the parking lot or while driving.

9. Add a towel to your case and you're finished! Now, drive safely.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your kit periodically to make sure nothing has been used up or expired.
• Parents, make sure you stock your child's car with these essentials before she hits the road. If nothing else, it will provide you with some peace of mind.
• No emergency kit can prepare your for everything, so drive safe and don't put yourself in any compromising situations!

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