Emergency Supply Checklist for your Vehicle

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO of South Durham and Orange County are passionate about emergency preparedness and personal safety no matter the situation. You might hear disaster preparedness warnings in regard to what emergency supplies you should keep in your home, but have you given any thought about your vehicle? Here are some things you should 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 bad weather, car trouble or a flat tire that could cause you to become stranded? 

The National Safety Council recommends an array of items to keep in your vehicle and most of these items depend on the distance and landscape that you travel. Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit located in the trunk. These kits should be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced to keep it up to date. The vehicle emergency kit should include the following:

• A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
• Jumper cables
• Tool kit and/or multipurpose utility tool
• Flashlight along with extra batteries
• Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more viable
• Compass
• First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, non-latex 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 waster 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 cause your phones loses battery/power. Equip your vehicles and stay safe. Always expect the unexpected and you will never be ill prepared.