Make a Family Emergency Car Kit
Safety, First Aid & More Supplies in Auto Help Avoid Daily Stress
Jan 6, 2008
Prepare for everyday family car emergencies. Most people carry the basic auto items (oil, flares, jumper cables,etc), but these emergency boxes will be for helping with those smaller daily hassles and annoyances. Having a couple of sweater-sized plastic containers in the back or truck of the car, filled with useful everyday emergency items, can often stave off otherwise uncomfortable situations.
Everyday life stressful problems and auto emergencies happen all the time. Cars get stuck in traffic behind a wreck for hours (especially fun with bored children), one forgets to take essential morning medications, the kids are "dying" of thirst, someone breaks a nail or gets a cut, someone gets car sick, there's no change in one's wallet for a parking meter... the list goes on and on.
Look over the lists below and decide which items relate to the commute, family or daily situations encountered. If there is no baby in the family, for instance, it's doubtful diapers will come in handy. Each car owner can pick and choose to build a personalized everyday emergency car kit. Homeschooling families and scout troops may like to make putting the kit together a lesson in safety and preparedness.
Items Many Everyday Emergency Car Kits Need for Personal Needs
- Small plastic or paper cups
- Emergency long-storing packets of water (available at a survival or camping store)
- Snacks that will not melt or be destroyed by heat or cold (camping or military food packets are a good idea)
- Regular snacks and water bottles can also be used, if rotated (to stay fresh)
- Gallon-sized seal-able plastic bags (for a million reasons)
- Several quarters and dimes (for parking meters, phones, vending machines, etc.)
- A small pack of tissues
- A half-roll of toilet paper
- An overnight kit (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair gel, disposable razor, soap, comb, shampoo, etc)
- One pair each of spare socks and underclothing for each family member.
- Flashlights and fresh batteries or a wind-up or shaking-powered flashlight
- A good quality pocket knife
- A nail file
- A pack of baby wipes (for spills on clothing, in the car, sticky hands, etc)
- Sanitizing gel
Extra Car Items for Bored Kids and Adults
- A pad of paper and pencils
- A crossword or puzzle book
- A couple very small but engaging toys
- Hard candy
- Dry sugared drink mix
First Aid Supplies to Keep in the Car
- A basic first aid kit for minor cuts, etc.
- An instant-cold first-aid packet (available at a pharmacy) for a twisted ankle or such
- Pain relievers
- Spares of prescription or often-used over-the-counter medications (like allergy pills)
Odd Emergency Supplies in Case of being Stuck or Lost in the Auto
- Emergency heat-preserving silver blankets (comes in a small pack at a camping store)
- Duct tape
- A mirror (for signaling for help, shaving or fixing lipstick)
- Matches and flint
- Instant hand-warming packets (comes in a small pack at a camping store)
- Flashing emergency light
- A small crack-operated radio
- Rope (it really comes in handy lots of times)
For Women and Teen Girls to Keep in the Car
- Spare makeup
- Feminine needs
- Spare pantyhose
Car Supplies Especially for Babies and Infants
- Formula mix and/or baby food
- Diapers and Wipes
- Extra outfits, socks, and jammies (for messes and late nights at Grandma's)
All these things should be compact and organized into the two boxes. Much more than that will take up a lot of car space. The plastic boxes will keep items fresh, clean and dry. If there is room, a couple thin backpacks are also nice to carry in case one has to walk for help.
Whether commuting day to day or traveling with kids, it's nice to be prepared when life's little emergencies pop up. Making simple and easy emergency kit for each car, truck or other auto is a good idea.
When not in the car, parents may like to read Online Activities for Bored Kids and Best Deals & Freebie Sites Online.
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