Be Equipped - Be Safe - Build Your Emergency Car Kit

Be Equipped - Be Safe - Build Your Emergency Car Kit

The best was to make sure you make it out of an unexpected situation safely is by being prepared. An emergency car kit can take you to the next level of preparedness.

Now is the time to build your kit or update your pre-existing one with items you already own. These 20 items should be placed together in an accessible location of your vehicle’s trunk:

1. Food - non-perishable such as dried fruit, nuts, energy bars
2. Bottled water (in plastic to keep it from breaking if frozen, change every few months)
3. Blanket
4. Extra clothing and shoes
5. First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
6. Small shovel
7. Scraper and snowbrush
8. Tow rope
9. Jumper cables
10. Fire extinguisher
11. Matches and a candle in a deep can
12. Wind-up flashlight
13. Whistle (to help attract attention)
14. Roadmaps
15. Sand, salt or cat litter for traction
16. Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid
17. Warning light or road flares
18. Car charger for mobile phone
19. Family/Emergency contact numbers
20. Multi-tool with window breaker and seatbelt cutter

There are basic everyday checks that should also be done to ensure a safe drive. Take a walk around your car to check for damage, proper tire pressure and that your lights are in working order.

Keep you and your family safe with these winter driving tips.