Essential Items for Your Car Emergency Kit

Summary

Essential Items for Your Car Emergency Kit

Today’s cars are more dependable than ever. Sure, you can expect to be bedeviled on occasion by your ride’s sophisticated on-board computer system, but when it comes to the roar of the engine and maneuvering through traffic, that late-model you’re driving more often than not will run like a top.

Nothing’s perfect, of course, and the natural world can still throw up all sorts of challenges. That's why – no matter your car’s age or condition – it’s wise to keep a roadside emergency kit in your trunk. Here is a list of essential items you will want to include.

Might as Well Jump: Jumper cables – don’t leave home without them. They can not only restart your dead battery but enable you to come to the aid of a likewise stranded motorist. Be sure to pack cables long enough to easily connect to another vehicle; 16 feet is a reliable figure.

Never Tire of It: Tires are likely the part of a car’s exterior people interact with the most,
particularly with so many of today’s models equipped with sensors that alert drivers to low tire pressure. All the more reason to pack a tire repair kit so you can fix any minor punctures you encounter along the way. These kits range widely in price but spend a few extra dollars to purchase one that includes a tire sealant and inflator.

Wrenching Experience: If it turns out your tire is beyond repair, you’ll be mighty glad you have a fully inflated spare in the trunk as well as a jack and a lug wrench. Remember to check these regularly to ensure they are functional.

First Aid First: You never know what physical dangers await you on the open road. That’s why it’s imperative to pack a comprehensive first aid kit for treating minor injuries. It should include all the staples – bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, adhesive tape and a first aid manual.
Let There Be Light: There should always be a flashlight in your glove compartment. These can prove crucial during nighttime emergencies, to be sure, but also serve to illuminate obscure parts of your engine block during daytime difficulties. Make sure to buy an LED flashlight for longer battery life, and always keep extra batteries in your car.
Fire Fighter: Given all the fuel a car carries, drivers should recognize that even the simplest fender-bender carries with it the threat of fire. Play it smart by always carrying a small, automotive-rated fire extinguisher to help control any engine or electrical blazes. Remember to check the extinguisher regularly to ensure it is fully charged.

Keep Warm: Round out your emergency kit with a blanket or sleeping bag that can provide comfort and warmth if you're stranded in cold weather. Emergency foil blankets are also a compact and effective option.
_____________________________________

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.