Make your own roadside emergency kit

If you drive long distances, through rural areas or in extreme conditions,  an emergency kit for your car could save your life.

If your car breaks down or you get stranded on a highway, keeping a roadside emergency kit in your trunk could save your life, as well as the lives of your passengers.

With this checklist as a guide, you can customize the contents of your own roadside emergency kit based on your surroundings, the climate and your driving habits. For instance, do you ever:

• Drive long distances?

• Drive in urban or rural areas?

• Drive late at night?

• Face severe weather in your area?

In winter especially, you need to be prepared in case you have to spend the night — or longer — in your car. If your clothing gets wet because you’ve tried to dig yourself out of a snow drift, for example, you’ll have to get dry, as well as, stay warm.

Emergency kit checklist. Here’s what to include in your kit:

1. Small plastic bottles of water (replace every six months)
   
2. Non-perishable, high-energy food, such as energy bars, nuts or peanut butter or dried fruit
   
3. A blanket (a survival blanket is best)
   
4. Matches and a candle in a deep can for light, warmth and to melt snow
   
5. A flashlight with extra batteries or a wind-up flashlight
   
6. A whistle to attract attention
   
7. First-aid kit (should include a seatbelt cutter)
   
8. Small shovel
   
9. Ice scraper with brush
   
10. Axe or hatchet
    
11. Road map and compass
    
12. Sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter for traction
    
13. Extra antifreeze/windshield washer fluid
    
14. Tow rope
    
15. Jumper cables
    
16. Fire extinguisher
    
17. Warning light or road flares
    
18. Utility knife
    
19. Emergency sign for the dashboard
    
20. Tire inflator
    
21. Hand sanitizer, paper towels or cleaning cloths
    
22. Spare tire
    
23. Emergency phone numbers
    
24. Extra clothing and footwear
    

Be prepared. Pack smaller items in a box or carton so you can find them quickly when you need to. As well, you should always travel with a well-charged cell phone and a charger that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter. It may seem like a lot to carry around, but if you find yourself in an emergency situation, you’ll be glad to have packed it all.

Don’t forget to check out all the helpful safety tips.

Did you like this article? Check out 10 tips for safer distance driving.

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