Car Emergency Preparedness

It could happen anywhere at any time … driving to work, driving to visit someone… the car stalls, the tire goes flat. It could be light out, or dark; perhaps the day is freezing cold, or perhaps a searing sun is blazing down. Either way, things like this happen all the time.

My most recent experience was a recent July 3rd, out on a hot, hot, sunny freeway. I got a flat tire and wound up waiting for a tow-truck for nearly two hours; I was very glad I had a bottle of water in my glove box! Another WAVE had her muffler partially fall off in the middle of a desert; she was glad she had enough tools to patch up her car, and enough water to see her through it all.

Do you have what it would take to survive comfortably if your car were to break down someplace hot, cold, or just plain dark? What if something happens at home and you need to get your family out? This happened to me once when a nearby fire filled the house with smoke – we grabbed the dog and birds and went someplace else.

At the very, very least, you should have water and light. This is just so simple you can do this next time you are at a store: Buy a bottle of water and a flashlight. Throw into your glovebox. There, that was easy!

• Always keep half a tank of gas in your car – just in case!
• Cellphone – even if just with the least expensive emergency calling plan. And most cellphones will still allow calling 911 in the United States for emergencies.
• GPS navigation system is expensive, but it can be very handy for getting un-lost!
• Carry a pocketknife with you, preferably one with a few tools on it. Just don’t take it with you into the airport!
• Do you have paper maps of the area you are traveling through? Maps are great investments.
• Compass
• More than just a bottle of water in the glovebox, get a gallon of water (enough for one person for one day). If you are going through a desert, you will need much more than a single gallon of water.
• Consider having sports drinks or other drinks high in electrolytes if you know you are going through a hot dry area. You will need both salts and water in a desert.
• Dry snacks, such as dry nuts, or high energy snack bars.
• A large flashlight or electric lantern in addition to the small light you put in the glovebox. Some emergency lights can be placed on the car to warn other drivers.
• Blankets and extra clothing, especially in cold climates; there are also thin but warm mylar blankets that cost very little and fit right into the glove box. A broad-rimmed hat in warm climates might help if you ever have to do work on the car in the sunlight.
• Garbage bags or rain poncho; getting wet can be a killer in cool conditions!
• Light sticks (or road flares); lightsticks are thought to be safer. You will definitely want these if you break down at the side of a dangerous road at night!
• Hand crank radio – something that doesn’t rely on your car battery
• A first aid kit, including hand sanitizer (in fact, hand sanitizer is just good to carry with you in pack or purse)
• Jumper cables – and know how to use them safely
• Car repair kit; flat tire repair kit
• Paper and pencil or pen for leaving notes
• Rubber hose for siphoning
• Games, books, inspirational reading – things to keep up your spirits and keep children entertained.
• Fire extinguisher (may need to hide in your car where it cannot get too hot)
• Special needs items – whether medication, diapers, formula, dog bowls, or whatever your family needs
• Red cloth to tie to the antenna to signal that you need help.

WAVES also suggest these things

• Duct tape! Also wire that can be used to hold things together.
• Basic tools like wrench, hammer
• Tarp
• Bungee cords
• Portable shovel
• Portable bladder relief devices – they even have ones for women.
• Paper towels to clean up messes

Things to have in your house, ready to toss in the car in case of emergency:

• Water purification tablets and equipment
• Bug spray – don’t leave in the car, but grab for long trips
• A portable 72 hour kit you can grab from the house and toss into the car; one per person (and don’t forget pets!).
• Propane stove – don’t leave in the car, but grab when you need it
• Solar cellphone recharger

Yes, this looks like a lot of stuff, but start at LEAST with those first few things. Pray over the rest. See what God nudges you to do. Be pre-prayered with your car – so next time you have car problems, you can rest easy!