An emergency can arise anytime you are on the road. You could be in an accident, stranded on an isolated stretch because of a roadblock from a fallen tree, or stuck because of a flat tire.
For this reason, it is always important for every car owner to keep a roadside emergency kit in their vehicle, so you are prepared for any eventuality.
Although the roadside emergency kit is a critical necessity, several car owners don’t give much thought to keeping even a basic emergency kit in their cars.
If you are in an emergency, your roadside survival kit could literally be the difference between life and death.
Is a Basic Emergency Kit Enough?
A simple readymade roadside emergency kit is better than not having anything on hand. However, the smarter thing to do would be to supplement your basic emergency kit and customize it to your needs.
So, for example, if you have a medical condition or a family member has a certain medical requirement, you would want to carry medication or a piece of health equipment such as an inhaler.
Making sure your emergency kit includes that specific item is important, especially in an emergency. You also need to consider the climatic conditions in your location and the roads you drive on when putting together your roadside emergency kit.
To help you get started, here is our list of absolute essentials that should go into a roadside emergency kit. You can always expand your kit based on individual needs.
Here is a list of items to include in your Roadside Emergency Kit:
- First aid kit – in addition to regular items, don’t forget to include prescribed medication for you or your family members.
- Tools and items for flat tires – a spare tire, a patch kit, a lug wrench, a jack, and compressed air.
- Blankets.
- Food items like granola or energy bars that are nonperishable.
- Bottled water.
- List of emergency contacts (family, medical professionals, friends) in case of an accident.
- Roadside emergency assistance information.
- Pen and paper.
Tools and Equipment
- Work or latex gloves.
- Motor oil and coolant.
- LED flares, regular flares, or reflectors.
- Foldable shovel.
- Duct tape.
- Tire pressure gauge.
- Jumper cables or portable, lithium-ion battery with jumper cables.
- Tool kit – pocket knife, screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, pliers.
- Hand-crank weather radio with cell phone charging.
- Spray bottle with washer fluid.
Once you are done collecting all the items you require for your roadside emergency kit, it is time to store them in your car.
Stock the survival or emergency items and the tools and equipment separately. You can use normal cardboard boxes or place them in a backpack or any other kind of container unit that suits you.
Make sure you clearly mark both containers/bags and store them in a location that is easily accessible both for you and family members during an emergency.
Familiarize Yourself with Your Roadside Emergency Kit
Now that your roadside emergency kit is ready, it is time to familiarize yourself with the items in the kit.
You should know what to use and how to use the tools and equipment should you face a challenging situation. Especially if roadside assistance is not available.
There are two basic things that ideally every driver should know: first, is how to change a tire and second, how to jumpstart your car. These are two of the most common situations you might face on the road.
Although roadside assistance is a boon in today’s times, you never know what situation you could face. Which is why it is a good idea to consult with a professional car technician for some advice on basic car trouble issues and emergency action if you face some of these issues.
Last but certainly not the least – make sure you take your car for regular servicing. This action could save you a lot of car trouble and help keep your car in good condition.
Reliable Car Maintenance with Professional Auto Experts!
If you are looking for professional and credible car repair service for your car, give Virginia Auto Service a call today at 602-266-0200 or schedule a visit with us online.