Frustrating, nerve-racking, frightening – breaking down on the side of the road is not a fun experience. Being prepared for it can make it a lot easier. Here is a list of things we keep in our car in case we do end up on the side of the road.

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Roadside Car Repair Kit

Roadside flares and warning triangles

Safety is your first concern. If you break down on the side of a highway, you want to be seen by the other motorist so they don’t accidentally hit you. Depending on the time of day and the road conditions, you will need different types.

At night, a roadside flare is ideal; you can get basic 15 minute emergency road side flares that are one-use or you could invest in an LED roadside emergency flare. During the day, warning triangles will work just as well.

Spare Tire and jack

Some cars come with a spare tire and jack. Check to see if your car does and if so, become familiar with how to get to it and how to change a tire. And check to see if it’s a spare or full tire – if it’s a spare tire, it’ll be smaller than a full and you’ll need to be more cautious on the road until you can change it out for a full tire.

Small Tool Kit

If something does go wrong with your car, you want to be able to do some quick fixes if you can. Keep a small tool kit in your car for these quick fixes. You can usually get a basic tool kit for $30-$70.

Antifreeze and Water and Two Quarts of Oil

Once your radiator is busted, there isn’t much you can do but if you catch it early – like if you’re driving and see the heat rising – you can fix it. Keep some anti freeze and some water in your car (keep them separate, don’t mix them quite yet… the water could also be used for drinking water if need be). Also keep some engine oil on hand. If your car isn’t acting right, pull over and check the oil. If it’s low, you can add some on the spot. Also, it makes it easier to keep track of which oil is for which vehicle if you have multiple vehicles.

Paper Towels / Rags

Needed for when you’re doing repairs or if you just spill your coffee.

Duct tape and WD-40

Is there really any need to explain this one? If something is moving and it shouldn’t, use duct tape. If something isn’t moving and it should, use WD-40.

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These are just a couple of things you should keep in your car for emergencies. Check out our blog roll for “Be Prepared for Winter Weather” –  a post about what you should be carrying in case you are stuck out in the cold.

Cracked Auto Glass in Atlanta?
Call 404-610-1366 Now!

While two-inches of snow may not seem like a big deal for anyone living up north, it was a big deal for Atlanta. Georgia’s weather is known for being random and sometimes unexpected. In 2013, a snow storm dropped 2 inches of snow on Atlanta in a matter of hours; the roads were overwhelmed by the number of people trying to get home; children were unable to get home from school – it was a mess. Some drivers spent more than 12-hours on the road trying to get home; many were unprepared.

And now, snow and ice again threatens north east Georgia. This time we were better prepared and stayed home. But what if you hadn’t? What if you were stuck out there in the snow-ice? Are you prepared?

Car Emergency Kit – Don’t leave home without one.

Whether it’s snow, ice, ‘oops, I left the lights on’, or running out of gas, you should always carry certain items in your car for emergencies.

First Aid Kit

Little cuts, bumps, and bruises are rather annoying when you don’t have a first aid kit. You should carry the basics plus any specialty equipment based on you and your families medical conditions – inhalers, EpiPens, insulin, etc. Keep a list of emergency contacts and a list of known health condition of your family members (like if you are a diabetic, that would be information that a paramedic would need to know should you be found unconscious).

Here is a basic list from the American Red Cross for a First Aid kit for a family of four:

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• 1 blanket (space blanket)
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• Scissors
• 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• First aid instruction booklet

Flashlight with extra batteries

Carrying a couple of good flashlight and spare batteries is a fanatstic idea. If you break down on the side of the road at night, the flashlight will give you light to make repairs; or if you have to leave your car at night and walk to a safe location, flashlights will help you do so.

Blankets

Hypothermia is not fun. You may think that you’re safe inside your vehicle but, unless you have house-grade insulation, you’re essentially sitting in a metal can that leaks heat. Get yourself a few good blankets and keep them in your car. They’ll come in handy when you’re stuck in the car in inclement weather or if you get to work early and just want to take a nap.

Water and Food

Carry a few bottles of drinking water and/or a gallon of water plus some granola bars or energy bars. Keeping hydrated is very important as is keeping up your energy levels. Also, the water can come in handy during the summer if your car is over heating and needs more fluid.

For more “must haves” for your car emergency kit, check out our next blog post.

Cracked Auto Glass in Atlanta?
Call 404-610-1366 Now!