Car Kits

 

Since this month's action item is Car kits I would like to go over them.

 

Disasters usually occur with little or no warning, Winter storms, Natural disasters, Car problems, Being stuck in traffic for one reason or another, just to name a few. Wouldn't it be great if you have one of these, then if you do have an emergency  you have a few things to make it a little easier, and maybe even help you and your family survive.

 

Even if you have a cell phone you may be out of service, or it may just take a while for help to arrive.  

 

As I mentioned in the previous post you never know when things can go wrong, even if you are only a few miles from home. There was recently wreak in our area during a white out and the road was closed for about 10 hours. This road is the only road to the next town ( not counting dirt back roads which were snow packed). There were people stranded on both ends that lived on the other side of where they were. A lot of people were displaced, Joleens boyfriend and his Grandmother had gone to town and were stuck on this side and couldn't get home, so they ended up staying with us. Andy was on the other side trying to get back from his Mom's he had to turn around and go back to her place to stay the night. The thing is you never know when something could happen even close to home.

 

I know it takes up room in your vehicle, Katie hates having to have the extra stuff in her car. Pretty sure though if she ever needs it she will really be glad to have it.

 

So where to put all the stuff ? Even if you have a small car you can fit it all in. Ideally the stuff should be in the front with you, but I figure I am doing good just to get Katie to put it in her trunk. I have a big majority of mine in a tote in the back of my truck ( I have a cover over the back of my truck),but I also have some stuff in the front . Joleen's space is also pretty limited ,as she has all her fire gear in her jeep, but we do find room to put her stuff. So you can find room even if the stuff isn't all together.

 

It doesn't have to be super expensive. You can put one together fairly cheap. I got a lot of my stuff at the dollar store, around the house, and the rest at Wal-Mart ( I used a lot of Wal-Mart brands).

 

In addition to the car kits the girls also have car tool bags that we got them for Christmas a couple years ago. They have jumper cables, fix a flat, chains, & flares. They also have a spare tire, jack and lug wrench,( and know how to use them). Mine and Andy's trucks have all the same things just not in nice little bags.

 

Here is a list of what is in the car kits. The girls have smaller tubs and I have a larger tub with the same things just a few more of them. I figure if we are stranded in my truck chances are I will have more people with me then they will.

 

 

 

 

 Snacks You want something that you can eat hot or cold, and opens easy.

1. A big box of crackers
2. A bag of goldfish
3. A small bag of animal crackers
4. A small jar of peanut butter
5. A couple pouches of tuna

Clothing If you have small children you may want to have a extra change of clothes, and extra diapers. The girls do carry an extra pair of shoes then if they flip flops or sandals on they have a real pair of shoes. They also most often have a extra change of clothes.

 

1. Warm hats
2. Warm gloves
3. Extra socks
4. Bandana

 Hygiene,

1. Hand  sanitizer
2. Diaper wipes
3. Toothbrush and toothpaste
4. Shampoo
5. Soap
6. Razor
7. Contact case and solution
8. T.P.
9. Kleenex

 

Miscellaneous,

1. Trash bags
2. Flashlight
3. sterno ( great to help start a fire or just use in the can to stay warm)
4. Duck tape
5. Rope
6. Note pad and pen
7.  Hand and foot warmers  
8. Lighter
9. Matches
10. N 95 Mask
11. Kitty Litter
12. Case of water
13. Blankets

I think I have covered everything in the car kits, as I said before if this doesn't look complete it is because they do have stuff in the packs.

 

If you do get stranded here are a few things to remember.

 

Stay with your vehicle, if it is no longer safe to stay there, leave a note as to what direction or where you are trying to go.

 

Always make sure you have a least a half a tank of fuel ( just as easy to keep the top half full as it is to keep the bottom half full).

 

Only run your engine for a few minutes at a time just long enough to warm it back up or cool it down ( this way you conserve fuel).

 

If you are stuck in the snow make sure the tailpipe isn't blocked ( Don't want carbon monoxide backing up into the car).Also when running your car be sure to crack a window open.

 

I hope you are never in a position to need this, but what a piece of mind knowing that if you do have a emergency you are better prepared to handle it. Especially knowing your teenagers have it in their vehicle's

 

Please feel free to suggest other items.