We spend so much time in our vehicles going to and from work, school, and social engagements. This is especially true for parents who often feel like free taxi services! In fact, the average American spends approximately 293 hours driving their vehicles every year. With so much time spent in our cars, it only makes sense to keep a few items in it in case of an emergency. We can’t always plan for an emergency situation, but here are a few items you might want to keep stored in your vehicle that can stop a bad moment from turning into a disaster.
First Aid Kit
You never really know what can happen, but having a basic first aid kit readily available is always wise. Whether someone suffers from a burn, cut, or sprain, a quality first aid kit should have what you need to hold you over until professional medical attention can be received. Your kit should include the following:
- Bandages of Various Size
- Sterile Gauze Pads
- Surgical Tape
- Anesthetic Spray or Lotion
- Antibiotic Cream
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic Wipes
- Pain Killers
- Imodium
- Gloves
- Splint
- Resealable Bags
- Benadryl
- A First Aid Guide
- An Updated Medical History Label
Road Reflectors
You never know when you might end up on the side of the road, and while you are finding a solution to your problem, you will want to put out road reflectors, flares, or anything else that can warn other vehicles that you are there. This is especially true for when you are traveling at night time. Getting struck by unsuspecting or distracted driver can quickly turn a small problem into a tragedy.
Tire Changing Equipment
We put so many miles on our tires, and yet, running over one ill placed nail can stop us in our tracks. Always be sure to have a tire pressure gage, a spare tire aired to the appropriate PSI for your vehicle, a jack, and a lug wrench. Also, the working knowledge of how to change a tire can really come in handy, as well.
Window Hammer
This is often left off of people’s emergency car list. While the odds of you needing this are slim, if you ever do, you will be grateful you have it. In the event your vehicle becomes submerged in water, having one of these specially designed tools readily available could save your life. When you are shopping for yours, be sure to purchase one with a steel tip, as this will easily crack the window you are trying to break.
Jump Starter Box
Having a working, portable jump starter box can really come in handy in the event you are dealing with a drained battery. While jumper cables are great, the box offers you a little autonomy because now you don’t have to either wait for a friend to come help you, or worse, flag down a stranger which could be dangerous.
Flash Light
The only thing worse than having car trouble is having car trouble at night time! Everything is so much more difficult when you can’t see well, so be sure to have a quality flashlight and extra batteries on hand!
Snacks, Water, and Other Basics
If you end up stranded, odds are, you probably won’t be stuck for days on end. But even after a couple of hours, having some properly stored water available can really come in handy, especially on a hot day. Also, something as simple as a roll of paper towels can be extremely helpful when you are tinkering with you car.
More Tips from Your Reliable Automotive Buda Auto Repair Shop
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can be prepared for any situation on the road, start with our guide to basic vehicle maintenance everyone should know. You might also be interested in learning why an oil change Buda TX is so important for your vehicle. And as always, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Reliable Automotive to make sure your vehicle stays running reliably!
