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Creating an Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle

On the vast network of open roads that covers the United States, breakdowns are common. Keep yourself and your family prepared through the creation of a fully equipped and well-maintained vehicle emergency kit. Take a look below to discover what you’ll need to add to your kit and why.

Include a Full-Fledged First-Aid Kit

In case of a breakdown that causes an injury, a complete first-aid kit must be included in your vehicle emergency kit. Your first-aid kit should contain items used in the treatment of burns, cuts, scrapes, stings, splinters, sprains, strains, and breaks. It’s also wise to include items that treat fever, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, mild to moderate pain, gastrointestinal problems, skin problems, and allergies.

Suggested first-aid kit items include plenty of gauze, tape, and bandages, as well as antibiotic ointment, one or more blankets, pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, more than one set of non-latex gloves, hydrocortisone, hydrogen peroxide, hot and cold compresses, tweezers, scissors, a thermometer, a suture kit, and a comprehensive travel-sized first-aid manual. First-aid manuals come in many forms, but military versions tend to be the most straightforward and helpful. They are available online or at any military surplus store. Avoid cheap, prepacked, incomplete first-aid kits entirely.

Pack Non-Perishable Food and Drink

High-energy food and drink should always be included in a vehicle emergency kit. Protein bars, purified drinking water, water purification tablets, unsalted nuts or trail mixes, hard candy, canned foods, peanut butter, honey, and many other items are suitable for inclusion in your kit. Avoid perishable foods. Your kit won’t be much good if you’re stranded for an extended period with expired provisions. Avoid energy drinks and other substances that artificially boost a person’s metabolism, as the crash they cause at the end of their run can have deadly consequences in wilderness survival situations.

Bring Navigation Tools and Proper Clothing

If you are stranded with little or no hope of rescue, your life and those of others could depend on your ability to find your way to safety. Pack a compass and relevant maps in your kit. Do not depend on your devices’ GPS capabilities to help you find your way. They have limited charge capability, and you may not be in a position to recharge them for some time.

Pack extremely visible but lightweight clothing. Hunting vests with reflective surfaces are ideal. Make sure you include clothing that fits the climate and geography of your area. In cold regions, include heavy clothing, but in arid areas, go with light clothing with lighter, more reflective colors. If wetlands surround you, include waterproof clothing and boots.

Include Tools That Enable You to Find or Create Shelter

If your vehicle is compromised and you may need to wait for aid for an extended period, it’s wise to have tools that enable you to find or create shelter. Include an ax, emergency glow sticks, maps that include cave locations, tents, and other helpful items in your kit so you and your passengers can be shielded from the elements when the need arises.

An emergency vehicle kit is a must-include for every vehicle. Put yours together today, or you may regret it tomorrow.

Image via Pixabay | CC 0 | Cropped from original

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