Everyone has a certain level of preparedness, but when you’re a parent, you need to go above and beyond especially if situations may involve your kids. Since your family uses a vehicle all the time, it makes sense to take your preparedness here too. Emergencies may happen at any time, and you don’t want to be caught surprised for any condition especially if it can be easily remedied or you can prevent it from getting worse.
It sounds something from a doomsday conspiracy, but it doesn’t hurt to anticipate all kinds of situations and construct an emergency kit for your car. Getting a flat tire or having your car battery die would suck if you get caught in bad weather when it happens. The emergency kit may not solve all your problems but it will help improve the situation.
There are plenty of things you can store in your car, so take advantage of it. Here are some things you should keep in your car for emergencies.
Throw Blankets
If you live in a part of the country with cold weather, prepare to have a couple of throw blankets stored in your car. They don’t have to be expensive, but make sure they are serviceable in case you need them in cases of emergency. Apart from keeping the cold out, they can also be used for spontaneous picnics, covering hot or cold bleachers for ball games, and more.
You can store them rolled up or stashed somewhere. Another thing you can do with them is they can be used as a pillow too.
Nonperishable Food and Water
If for some reason you get stuck somewhere with your family and help is still arriving, keep the hunger away with nonperishable food and water for everyone. It’s good to have a quantity that is enough for a couple of days to prepare for extreme cases. Add lots of snacks for your children and energy bars and drinks as well.
Since you’re storing the consumables for an indefinite amount of time, some care should be taken when you put them in the car. You can keep a cooler in your car containing all the stuff. Check them from time to time especially if you’re not using them yet as they may not be usable because they became spoiled because of fluctuating temperatures inside the vehicle. Replace them as necessary.
Medicine
This is especially important if you have children who have allergies or asthma as these conditions can be life-threatening. You can always carry medicine in your purse, but to definitely make sure, stash some in the car too.
Always check the expiration dates of the medicine so you don’t accidentally use expired ones. Replace them when they’re past the usable date. This article has also stated other important medicines to carry.
Baby Supplies
This is necessary when you have infants and toddlers, and if you’re going on a road trip. It pays to have extra baby supplies on hand in case of unforeseen circumstances.
In a group of travelers, small children are always the priority, so make sure their needs are met first. Extra bottles, formula, diapers, and an extra set of clothes can mean a lot in times of duress. Here is a good list of things you’ll need in your car on a road trip especially if you have small children.
An Assortment of Wipes and Paper Towels
Where there are children, there will be a variety of messes—from sugar-sticky fingers, to spilled drinks, and many others. It’s always a good thing to keep a stock of wipes and paper towels in your car when these things happen. Cleanup is easy, and for bigger messes, it is a temporary but welcome solution.
Children eating inside the car can already be messy as it is, and if you pair that with dirty shoes and backpacks, it can be a disaster. Fortunately, there are ways you can protect your car from being too dirty.
Car floor liners like those from WeatherTech can certainly make a difference in keeping your car dry and clean. The rubberized mats are easy to dust and wipe, and they keep liquids of the car floor lining, so stains and moisture stay away from it. It’s also comfortable on the feet, so you can rest easy that your family can step on it with no problems.
First Aid Kit
This is not just for people with kids; everyone should stock up a first aid kit inside their car. Don’t wait for a time when you will need one because scary situations may happen at any time. You will only have a few seconds to minutes to react to severe blood loss and other injuries, and not having the necessary supplies may mean permanent injury or even death.
Keeping one will also give you peace of mind because you are prepared and can help others as well. You can even learn basic first aid and CPR.
Trying to build your first aid kit to keep in your car? Check out this article to get the basic supplies.
Multitool or Utility Knife
Apart from emergency tools for your car, you need to have a multitool that is an all-in-one device to help you with many tasks. Multitools generally include knives, scissors, wire cutters, pliers, screwdriver, and more. Most people keep this tool in the glove box or in their toolbox, especially for emergency uses.
Never Bad to Be Overprepared
There’s never a wrong time to be overprepared. If you’re overwhelmed by so many things mentioned in the list above, don’t worry; you don’t have to get those things all at once. You can slowly tick them off your list over time, but make sure the most essentials are there if you are thinking of going on a short-distance road trip.
As a parent, what type of things do you keep in your car for emergencies? Share your tips below.
