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10 Items to Keep in Your Car’s Emergency Kit

by  on  Car Accidents & Motor Vehicle Collisions

Whenever an individual makes the decision to travel on Colorado’s roads and highways, he or she has no idea what to expect. The hope is that everything goes smoothly during the trip and the destination is reached without incident. However, things happen, particularly when driving. Given the unpredictable nature of roadway travel, it is important for all drivers to ensure they are as prepared as possible. That said, there are 10 items that every driver and auto owner should keep in his or her vehicle at all times.

Things You Need for Survival When You’re Stuck

Being stuck or broken down on the side of a dark road or highway is never fun. In fact, it can be quite concerning and scary in many instances. Still, dealing with such issues can be a bit easier if you have the right equipment in your emergency kit. Consider keeping the following items in your vehicle to help you survive – you never know how long it will take to get the help you need.

  1. Water – You are encouraged to keep at least a case of water in your vehicle. You can also use 2-liter soda bottles that have been cleaned and refilled with water.
  2. Emergency radio – Some people have emergency radios in their homes. However, it is just as important to keep one in your automobile, particularly when the weather has taken a turn for the worse. That said, you should choose a radio that is both battery and solar powered. We all know how quickly batteries can run down, especially when there’s an emergency.
  3. Toolkit – You don’t particularly need a fancy toolkit for your car’s emergency kit. But, at minimum, your toolkit should include an adjustable wrench, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and a multipurpose knife.
  4. Fire starters – You might find it beneficial to keep matches (preferably waterproof matches) or a Blast Match (which sends out sparks that are at least three times the heat of a regular match) handy in case you need to start a fire to keep yourself warm or signal for help.
  5. High quality first aid kit and survival manuals – Whether you choose to make your own or buy one that’s pre-stocked with items, it is crucial for you to keep a good first aid kit in your vehicle. At minimum, your kit should contain several adhesive bandages of various sizes, a few absorbent compress dressings, several packs of ointment and antiseptic wipes, packs of aspirin, hydrocortisone and an instant cold compress, among other things.
  6. Non-perishable food items – Along with water, your kit should include non-perishable food items. Such items include dry cereal, almonds or shelled sunflower seeds, energy bars, dried fruit, packs of tuna and trail mix, to name a few.
  7. Hygiene products – Depending on how long you are stranded, you will likely want to take care of your normal hygiene needs. If you’re not prepared (or willing) to “rough it,” you should consider packing a bar of soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, a box of tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. And for the ladies, be sure to have enough feminine protection products to last you for a while.

A Few Other Items You Should Have on Hand

There are so many possibilities when it comes to making your own emergency kit. But in Colorado, you will also want to be sure to include:

  1. A small shovel
  2. Kitty litter or sand
  3. Jumper cables

If you or someone you love has been involved in a motor vehicle accident or some other incident that has resulted in injuries that were caused by someone else, contact Levine Law, a Denver accident law firm.