Recent news has brought attention to the fact that a driver may find himself or herself in very unexpected situations. The season does not matter, either. When something like that happens, it becomes obvious that being prepared with some emergency equipment could make a real difference as to the outcome. Here are some tips about auto emergency kits for you and your family.
Auto emergency kits come in various sizes, and often with slightly different purposes. Some are simply for those situations when you simply have a car problem like the engine overheats, your oil light comes on, or you blow a tire. These basic kits are something that every car should have - unless you can guarantee that everywhere you go you can communicate with someone who can help you quickly.
These kits usually include things like oil, antifreeze, jumper cables, tire inflator, a couple of tools and maybe a flare and emergency triangles. In addition, though, you should also include some basic tools, such as pliers, duct tape, wire, a flashlight and batteries, extra fuses, two kinds of screwdrivers - flathead and Phillips, adjustable wrenches, vise grips, and a small fire extinguisher. It is always a good idea to have some rags, too, and some kind of hand cleaner.
A few trash bags and wipes for sanitation purposes, and a blanket or two is also a real good idea - especially when you are traveling in cooler weather. Going beyond the basic tools, though, you also need to have some kind of first aid in your auto emergency kits. This should include things like Band-Aids and larger bandages, bandage tape, a book on First Aid, an antiseptic, aspirin, and gloves. You should also have a few days worth of non-perishable emergency foods that are high in protein and energy, such as granola bars, raisins, and peanut butter.
Many auto emergency kits are available for you in stores such as Walmart of KMart. Outdoor or sports stores will also carry them, too. It would be a good investment to buy a quality kit with extra supplies since you never know what you may need. You can also make your own auto emergency kit. It is better, though, to be a little overprepared than not prepared enough.