Car Emergency Organization Update
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You never know when you are going to have an emergency when you are out in your car. An emergency is by definition an unexpected state or event that requires immediate action. Having a flat tire or mechanical breakdown or getting in an accident are a couple of possible scenarios. Getting caught in bad weather or some other reason that prevents you from getting home may also create an emergency. What will you need to help you in such events?
Do you have a roadside assistance plan?
Before I get into some of the “things” that can be helpful in an emergency situation, having a roadside assistance plan can save you money and give you peace of mind. In Canada we have CAA, and Canadian Tire plans. There are also some credit cards that offer some free roadside assistance. They offer towing, gas, lock service, tire changing service and jump starts as well as other services.
These days almost everyone has a cell phone and they are vital in a true emergency situation to call for help. Keep a car cell phone charger in your car at all times. For longer trips you may want to bring a back-up battery charger for your phone too. Most cellphones also have GPS which can help navigate where you are going and prevent you from becoming lost.
Basic Car Emergency items for breakdown,etc...
Flat tire? Number one – you should always have a spare tire, jack and lug wrench. New cars all come with these but if you have a second-hand vehicle make sure you have these. A can of “Fix-a-flat” might be useful for minor punctures for short distances, until you can get it to a repair shop. My dad taught me how to change a tire years ago, but fortunately I’ve rarely had to do it myself. It’s a good skill to know if you aren’t in an area where it’s easy to get someone else to do it.
Booster cables are also very helpful when a light gets left on and drains the battery. Again, I’ve been very fortunate with my car and haven’t needed them for myself. I have used them a few times to help other people though.
When you are changing your tire or having to access the engine, having a pair of work gloves and a reflective vest are a good idea. Having a reflective triangle is also good to alert other drivers to be cautious going by you. If you need to alert help in remote locations an emergency flare and matches could also be used.
Handy Car Emergency Tools...
I’ve already mentioned the jack, lug wrench and booster cables, but I’ve also found a few handy car emergency tools…My favorites are multi-use items. I found the emergency flashlight above that has a strobe function and also has a seatbelt cutter and hammer to break a window. You can get a similar one here. God forbid I ever get flipped over and trapped under water, but if I still had my wits about me I wouldn’t be completely helpless.
I got a 12-in-1 multi-pliers tool for my 72-Hour Emergency Kit but I recently found one with a hammer for the car. You can find a similar one here and one with a hammer here. (I still have my small basic tool kit in the car which I use sometimes at my rental property.)
Car Maintenance...
When it comes to breakdowns the best solution is to not have them in the first place! Proper preventative maintenance will go a long way in avoiding having a breakdown. But, what if you do develop a problem? Depending on what the problem is, you may be able to prepare yourself for the worst case scenario. Have an extra jug of anti-freeze, a couple liters of oil or other fluids you might need. I like to keep an extra jug of windsheild wiper fluid.
Winter car items...
The two main items to add to your car in the winter are an ice-scraper/snow brush and a snow shovel. Of course, depending on where you live and your accessibility to get help, you can add cat litter or sawdust if you get stuck. What other things might you need?
First aid and comfort items...
For the human factor, you should keep a basic first aid kit and a blanket in the car. I always take a water bottle with me when I go anywhere, but I also keep a glass water bottle in the car for emergencies. (If I don’t use it I replenish it every few months.) Having some non-perishable snacks can also come in handy.
You can watch my emergency car organization video below...
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