Why You Need an Emergency Kit in Your Car
You never know what could happen when you are on the road. Whether you commute every day or are only an occasional driver, you need to be prepared to handle any situation. For this reason alone you need to have an emergency kit in your car, something that is even more important when you drive on the highway.
Remember that if the roads are bad and you have an accident or you have car issues, there are also many other drivers in the same situation as you. This means you may have to wait hours for a tow truck or for help to arrive.
Being stranded on the side of the road, even for a short time, when it’s cold outside could be dangerous. You could develop frost bite if you are not wearing warm enough clothing, and it could be uncomfortable without food or water for an extended period of time. An emergency kit ensures your basic needs such as staying warm, and having food and waters, are taken care of when you wait for help to arrive.
What to Include in Your Emergency Kit
The Government of Canada suggests you include the following items as part of your winter emergency kit:
- Non-perishable food
- Water bottles
- A blanket
- Extra clothing such as sweaters, mitts, and hats
- First aid kit
- A shovel and scraper
- Candle and matches
- Flashlight and batteries
- A whistle, warning lights, or road flares to get other people’s attention
- Jumper cables and a tow rope
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Sand, salt, or cat litter
Each one of these items can help you out in a time of need. It’s also a good idea to have a list of emergency phone numbers, a phone charger, and other basic tools.
While we all know that you should have these items in your vehicles, and especially during the winter, but do you actually have a winter emergency kit? If you don’t, it’s important that you get one before the winter driving season starts.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to buy a premade one from the store. While these are great to have, you can usually put together an emergency kit using items you have at home. Use the above list of items as a check list and collective items from around the house to create your home made car emergency kit.
Learn More:Tips for Creating your own Winter Emergency Kit for your Car