Driving is one of those daily activities that most people typically take for granted. This is because, in part, how reliable cars have become over time. That said, breakdowns might not be as common as they used to be, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. For this reason, it makes good sense to keep an emergency kit in your car, especially in the fall and winter months.
As a responsible, sensible vehicle owner, you are probably already thinking about what you need to have done to your car to prepare it for the winter. You will be checking the fluids, having snow tires mounted and calling Suffolk Glass, your Long Island auto glass service, to check and repair your windshield. And as a responsible vehicle owner, you should also pack an emergency kit in case you break down during your holiday travels. Here is what you will need.
Flashlights
A flashlight is one of the most important items you need to have in your kit, so important that you should have more than one. Pack extra batteries as well.
Whether you are changing a flat tire or trying to flag down a motorist for some help, a little light goes a very long way.
First Aid Kit
If you experience the unfortunate event of a minor collision, having a first aid kit at your disposal could be crucial. If you drive out to a trail and suffer a misstep while hiking, there are plenty of handy things in your first aid kit that will be useful.
Jumper Cables
If you are to suffer a dead battery, odds are it will happen in the dead of winter when it is at its coldest. In addition, as humans, we can be scatterbrained and park our cars with the door open or leave a dome light on. A dead battery is much less of a deal when you have jumper cables.
Cell Phone Charger
If you are ever stranded in the middle of nowhere, your cell phone could be your lifeline. Of course, it is pretty useless without a charged battery.
Food and Water
While you aren’t likely to die from starvation should your car break down, having food and water in your kit is still a good idea. A few bottles of water and energy bars, jerky and dried fruit will suffice.
Fire Extinguisher
When dealing with combustibles like gasoline, it is a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on hand. After a minor collision, a small fire can escalate into a huge problem in very little time.
Gloves, Hat and Blanket
When you are making the assumption that you will get safely from point A to point B in a heated car, you leave behind things like a hat and gloves. Should you find yourself stranded in a raging snowstorm, you will be glad that you have packed away a hat, gloves and blanket to help keep you warm.
Before winter settles in, schedule an appointment with Suffolk Glass to have your windshield repaired or replaced.