Emergency Supply Checklist For Your Vehicle

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Edmonds is passionate about emergency preparedness and personal safety. You may hear many disaster preparedness warnings about what emergency supplies to keep in your home, but what about your vehicle? Some things to consider:

• How much time do you spend in your vehicle?
• Do you take extra supplies for long trips?
• What would you do in the event of poor weather, car trouble or a flat tire that may cause you to become stranded?

The National Safety Council recommends an array of items to keep in your vehicle and much of this depends on your distance and landscape traveled. Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit located in the trunk. Kits should be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced to keep it up to date. Vehicle emergency supply kits should include:

• A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
• Jumper cables
• Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
• Compass
• First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
• Drinking water
• Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
• Car charger for your cell phone
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Rain poncho
• Additional items for cold weather include a snow brush, shovel, windshield washer fluid, warm clothing, cat litter for traction and blankets

It's also a good idea to keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone and even on paper in case you lose phone battery/power. Equip your vehicles and stay safe- always expect the unexpected!