subject: Emergency Vehicle Kit - Getting You Back On The Road Or Staying Safe Until Help Arrives [print this page] For any number of reasons, you may someday find yourself stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Having an emergency vehicle kit will give you the means to provide for your basic needs until help arrives. Bear in mind that the contents of the emergency vehicle kit need not be all contained in one "package," such as a backpack. Indeed, it would be difficult to do so when you take into account all the contents listed below. However, all should be present within the vehicle, typically in the trunk. Personally, I use a clothes basket I purchased at the dollar store. This keeps it all in one place in my trunk.
What should be in the emergency vehicle kit? For starters, you should include basic tools and fluids necessary to perform expedient basic vehicle repairs. A small toolbox containing a set of wrenches (both standard and metric), pliers, screwdrivers (slotted and Phillips), work gloves, eye protection, flashlight, and duct tape will handle most simple repairs. A jug of coolant, a couple quarts of oil, and a container of brake fluid can be very useful. A set of spare fuses can get you back on the road quickly. Don't forget a spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench!
Remember, even if you don't know how to perform the repairs yourself, someone may stop to help who does but might not have tools with him or her.
As to creature comforts, be sure to have emergency blankets to keep warm if you're stranded in the winter. If your engine will run, start it up and let it go with the heat on for about ten minutes every hour. Crack the windows a bit for ventilation. Triple check your tailpipe first to make sure it isn't blocked or clogged so as to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. A crank radio can provide information as well as entertainment without draining your car battery. Personally, I also keep a paperback book in my kit so I have something to help pass the time. A small quantity of non-perishable food is a good idea, as is a container of potable water (separate from the water you would use for the radiator).
In the event you determine it is the best course of action to leave the vehicle and head out on foot, have a notepad and pencils so you can leave a note in the car noting your name, the date and time, and the direction in which you plan to travel. This will help rescuers find you.
A cell phone is a must, even if it is just a cheap prepaid one. Keep it charged at all times and program it with the numbers for whatever travel insurance company you might use as well as family and friends. Any time you plan to travel any great distance, make sure someone knows where you're going and when you plan to return. Doing so will hopefully speed up search efforts if you don't turn up on time.
Having a well-stocked vehicle emergency kit could mean the difference between getting back on the road quickly or spending hours in the middle of the boonies, kicking yourself for not putting one together.
