Taking a drive between Seattle and its neighboring cities, lakes and countryside is breathtaking. Traveling through narrow valleys, long stretches of highway and up to snowy peaks can be one of the best experiences of your life. What if that splendid drive was disrupted by a freak occurrence like an accident, a blown-out tire or engine trouble?
Would you be prepared to tackle any incident that could ruin an otherwise perfect outing? Even city travel could be responsible for a car emergency. In any car travel-related mishap, being roadside and survival ready with a car emergency kit is smart, safe and recommended by insurance companies and the DMV. Additionally, when purchasing a car, you can reference this list of the safest cars on the market.
Be Prepared for Roadside Assistance with an Emergency Car Kit
Any car emergency kit should come prepared with items that will assist in getting a car up and running if there is an emergency. According to Allstate, to be adequately equipped, the following items should be included in your car emergency kit:
- jumper cables;
- a multi-tool;
- a paracord;
- car fluids;
- reflective tape or road flares;
- a car jack;
- a Swiss-army knife;
- duct tape;
- tire chains;
- gas can; and
- a rag.
Many of these items might be more familiar than others, but they are all useful. For instance, the paracord is lightweight, nylon rope, and the multi-tool contains a screwdriver, a wrench and pliers. The items above can be carried in the trunk of your car. A plastic tool box or a water-resistant, tightly sealed bag would make an excellent container for your car emergency kit. Drivers who take precaution are drivers who can assist themselves in a roadside emergency.
Fit for Survival with an Emergency Kit Checklist
The solitude of some of Seattle’s neighboring regions can be peaceful, but after a roadside emergency, they can be frightening and dangerous.
If you encounter an emergency that cannot be remedied using the roadside portion of your car emergency kit, it is recommended to have survival items, such as, but not limited to:
- a first-aid kit;
- bottled water;
- nonperishable food;
- warm clothes;
- a poncho;
- a blanket;
- a compass;
- a flint rod;
- a whistle and/or pepper spray;
- baby wipes and/or hand sanitizer; and
- an old, charged cell phone.
Many of the items listed above seem obvious, but some are ingenious. Take for instance the old, charged cell phone; you can leave the cell phone in your car emergency kit turned off so that when you need it in an emergency, you can use it. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, states cell phones do not have to be active with a provider to reach emergency services (911).
Additionally, staying nourished with foods like jerky, dried fruit or seeds/nuts, and warm with a coat, socks and gloves, could be the difference between a little trouble and a big disaster. Max Meyers Law wants you and your loved ones to be safe every time you get into your car. The best way to be safe is to prepare a car emergency kit that is roadside and survival-ready. We offer other useful information in free eBooks that cover buying car insurance to bicycling accident secrets.
