Emergency Car Kits

January 23, 2009 | By admin In Emergency Management |

First off, if you live in the north where temperatures tend to dip nicely to winter gear temperatures, remember to keep that gas tank over half full. The moisture building up within when it is not full enough, does cause long-term problems with your vehicle. A mechanic can go into the details, but as I’m not writing about mechanics, I’m leaving that alone at least for the moment. Having lived in northern communities where we were dealing with -40 F this winter, I am of the opinion that one cannot be too careful in packing the right gear and enough of that gear, just to be on the safe side. So if my emergency car kit seems extreme, especially to you Texans and Floridians, thats okay. Come up north and you’ll see why. Things to packs in two separate kits: salt or kitty litter to melt the ice or snow, booster cables and chain, flares, fire extinguisher, an extra warm set of clothing including heavy duty mitts, socks, hats, boots if you don’t already have them on, extra windshield washer and antifreeze, and a shovel. For the second kit, keep the following: candles, matches, flashlight, can for the candle and a can to warm up a drink, emergency food pack, water, blanket, first aid kit, cell phone charger that is battery operated, water. I would make sure the matches are waterproof, that there is a lighter also, a fire starter, and some of those hand and feet warmers you can buy at sports and camping stores. They can work wonders in keeping your extremities warm. I would also include a deck of cards to keep yourself occupied and your kids if they are along for the trip. Double everything for clothes if they are coming by the way. This is all a hassle to people maybe, but much better than gangrene, amputation of limbs and rehabilitation wouldn’t you say? Brigade Quartermasters is your one stop shop wholesale supply source!

If you are stuck in a snow drift and hoping for help, keep the back exhaust pipe clear of snow and try to keep a bit of your window rolled down to avoid dying of carbon monoxide poisoning which is odorless and in my opinion, an avoidable death sentence.

If you don’t like to carry a cell phone – I know my brother doesn’t, fine, but I would rather have one when travelling in hazardous weather than not and I hope he would too. We can rant about the world and its dependence on cell phones, but they are one precious lifeline when there is no help around.