You never know what might happen on Atlanta roads. Cars, unfortunately, are not infallible, and they can break down and refuse to cooperate. When that happens, it’s probably going to be a less painful experience if you have a car emergency kit stashed in your trunk. You never know when your car could refuse to start, get overheated, or start making an ominous “click-click-putter-cough” sound that necessitates pulling over. To avoid a total disaster, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are some tips about putting together an auto roadside emergency kit.
Tips for your roadside emergency kit.
1. Include the car-related items.
Well, first and foremost, having car-related items in the back of the car can come in handy. Your car emergency kit should include…
- Jumper cables
- Flares
- Motor oil (2 quarts)
- Antifreeze (1 gallon)
- Washer fluid
- Ice scraper – yes, Atlanta is hot, but it’s a handy thing to have.
- Fuses
- Tire inflator and tire pressure gauge
These things are simple, but they can make a big difference. For example, having some jumper cables can spare you the hassle of having to wait for a tow truck if your car won’t start because your battery is dead. Conversely, you can help out a friend if their car won’t start if you have cables in your car. (Then you’d be their hero!)
2. Have items for you and your family.
There are also items that can make a breakdown much more comfortable for all involved. Think about including the following…
- Non-perishable food (i.e. snack bars)
- Water
- A blanket
- First-aid kit
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Gloves
- Tape
- Wipes
- Scissors
You never know when one of the kids is going to get a boo-boo and need some first-aid, or when the car isn’t starting and snacks are an immediate necessity.
3. Don’t forget other handy items.
And then there are the miscellaneous items that can be extremely useful. Things that might make you go, “You know what I need right now…” when you’re in a predicament.
Here are a few more things to throw into your emergency roadside kit:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Pocket knife
- Rags/Paper towel
- Tools
- Different screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Wrench
4. Customize your roadside kit.
You can make adjustments to your kit as needed so that it’s suited to you and your family’s needs. You have to consider what you would need in the event of a breakdown or an emergency when you’re putting together your kit. So, feel free to add things as needed. (And yes, it might seem like you’re toting around a lot of stuff with you on the off-chance that you’ll need it. But think of the benefits of being prepared. If it’s just a minor issue, you can take care of it on your own and get back on your way.)
5. Show everyone the contents of the emergency kit – and how to use them.
Well, first of all, it’s important that you’re familiar with your roadside emergency kit and it’s contents…meaning that you know how it all works and would be comfortable using it in a pinch. (For example…jumper cables.) Learn how to use all of these items safely.
Then you can make sure that your family knows what’s stored in the emergency kit. Imagine if someone took the car out, got stuck on the side of the road, and needed a flashlight. Thinking they don’t have a flashlight, they stumble around in the dark. And then get home only to have you tell them that there was a flashlight (and batteries) in the car the entire time.
Anyways, make sure everyone knows how to safely use these items, and make sure that the kids know not to get into the things they shouldn’t.
So, we’ve established that a roadside emergency kit could come in very handy if something happened – like if you broke down on the side of the road. But something that could also come in handy in the event of an accident or incident involving your car is Atlanta car insurance. Our team can help you get the coverage you need to protect yourself from the risks involved with car-ownership and driving. Get in touch with us by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.