Vehicle emergency kit…part deux
Winter weather can be nasty and you should have an emergency kit in your car.
We have a checklist here that you can use as a guide.
Here are 10 things you can do RIGHT NOW to start your preparedness.
A few weeks ago (Dec 20th) we posted an emergency kit checklist for your vehicle during the winter. Since then, in Iowa, we’ve had ultra low wind chills and a winter storm that brought 9-12 inches of snow to many parts of the state. We wanted to take another opportunity to help you prepare for winter weather while in your vehicle. (Not to mention on Jan 4, 22 when a storm left folks in Virginia stranded on I-95 for over 24 hours).
If you haven’t seen the checklist you can find it here.
It can be a bit overwhelming to start trying to prepare for every emergency. That’s why checklists are helpful. Here are 10 quick “baby steps” (don’t sue us Dave) that can get your car kit “jump started.” (bad dad joke)
Put a blanket in the vehicle right now. Put it in the trunk, the back seat, anywhere but do it now.
Now put a stocking cap and a pair of warm gloves in the vehicle.
You’re doing great! Double check you have a phone charger in the car.
Flashlight! Go! A headlamp is best but any kind of flashlight that’s NOT your phone.
Ice scraper. Do it now. Consider having two.
First aid: a kit from a store is nice but you can make your own too. A few bandaids and some pain relievers is a good start. Ziplock bag in the glove box. (what are you waiting for)
Extra clothes (socks, pants, jacket). If you get wet (say you’re changing your tire on the side of the snowy road, your clothes won’t keep you warm. Having something to change into.
Jumper cables (or a handy dandy battery jump pack) Other than a flat tire the most common “car trouble” is a dead battery (according to Uncle G’s lived experience). If you don’t know exactly how to use them that’s what Google’s for but you need to have them.
Snacks and water. For 99% of road emergencies you won’t need food or water but it can make you feel better if you’re stuck for an extended period of time. Some sort of protein bar is a good choice.
Fire extinguisher! (You should have several of these in your house too in the kitchen, garage, etc…) Consider if your phone shorts out and causes a small fire, or if the sun through your window is just at the right angle and heats up your car’s seat or papers you have laying around (Uncle G’s seen it happen)
Those 10 steps will get you a LONG way towards having an emergency car kit. I bet you can get 7 of them done in the next 15 minutes if you try.
