Saturday, May 18, 2013

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Driving to work or on a family vacation, the unexpected can always happen. From a flat tire to engine failure, it can be a minor annoyance or it can compromise your safety and that of your family.

Even if you belong to an auto club or have some sort of roadside service, you may not always be able to contact them; and even if you can, you might be stranded for hours while they get to you. With this in mind, it’s best to always be prepared.

Many retailers have pre-made kits available for sale; some are better then others. No matter if you are buying a pre-made kit, or making one of your own, there are a few things to keep in mind.

roadside kit 

Basic Roadside Emergency Kit

Cellular phone. This is your first method to get help and an important element in your roadside safety. If you don’t want a standard cell phone, you can always buy one with a small amount of pre-paid minutes and keep it in your car. Make sure to keep a travel charger handy, since you can’t always guarantee your phone will be fully charged. Pay attention to your current location while traveling. If you need to call 911 for aid they may not be able to locate you based on phone signal alone.

First-aid kit. A standard store bought kit will work, or you can build one that includes supplies to treat cuts, burns and other basic medical problems. If you have a family member who suffers from allergies (like food or bee stings) you may want to carry their medication with you as well

Fire extinguisher. Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguishers are available in a variety of sizes. It’s recommend carrying a compact unit that's labeled 1A10BC or 2A10BC.

Warning light, hazard triangle, or flares. The more visible you are, the safer you are when stuck on the side of the road. If you choose to carry flares, read the safety instructions on storage and use before you place them in your kit.

Tire Kit. This includes a jack, lug wrench, portable tire compressor and tire gauge. You may also want to consider carrying the spray can foam sealant that provide a temporary solution to a flat tire. However, since many tire shops will refuse to repair a tire with the residue from the foam sealant it’s recommended that you only use it in an emergency.

Spare fuses. If you experience an electrical problem, your first check should be for a burned-out fuse. Keep an assortment on hand of the proper type for your vehicle.

Jumper cables or a portable battery booster. Jumper cables are easy to use as long as you have a second car available to provide a jump. A portable battery booster eliminates the need for a second car.

Basic tool kit. This kit should be stored together for your convenience and include basic tools such as screw drivers, pliers and wrench.

Flashlights. It’s very important that you at least have one in your kit; however, it’s recommended that you carry at least two. They should be waterproof and a very bright light. Also, have extra batteries and a bulb available.

Gloves, hand cleaner, and clean rags. These items will help remove potentially dangerous chemicals from your hands and prevent them from getting on your clothing, skin, car interior or the chance of ingesting them.

Disposable flash camera. Following an accident, this lets you record the condition of your vehicle and other vehicles for insurance purposes.

Water and nonperishable emergency food. Bring enough food and water to sustain you and any passengers for at least a meal, longer for remote areas or in extreme hot/cold regions.

Blanket. If you are stranded in cold weather, you may not be able to rely on your vehicle alone for heat. In addition, if an accident occurs that results in an injury or shock a blanket can help keep the victim warm and comfortable till help arrives.

It's important to periodically check your kit. Batteries wear out, food expires and other supplies can go bad over time. Make sure that you’re not in the middle of an emergency before you realize you need to update your kit.

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