Meeting 2b: Emergency Car Kits

 

Becca Clayton taught about Emergency Car Kits and below are the notes and checklist that she put together!

Emergency Car Kit

The Basics:

1. Food - preferably something lightweight, easy open, and ready to eat that can withstand heat; examples include MREs, protein bars, trail mix without chocolate, tuna pouches, baby food pouches.  Don’t forget baby food or dog food if either of those apply to your family.  Place food inside gallon ziploc bags and then you’ll have some handy bags for trash or other uses.
2. Water- bottles of water; perhaps 2 per person, more if you have space.
3. First Aid Kit
4. Winter gear- socks, hats, and gloves for everyone in family, instant heat hand warmers.
5. Blanket- regular blankets, space blankets, or sleeping bags; based on available space try to have enough for your whole family.
6. Baby/Kid stuff- Diapers, spare clothing (underwear and pants if potty training), baby food, wipes, hand sanitizer.
7. Toilet Paper roll
8. Lighter and another fire source (matches, flint, etc.)- it is good to have at least 2 ways to make fire
9. Flashlight
10. Pocket Knife or Multitool
11. Walking Shoes- an old pair of sneakers
12. Phone Numbers and paper and pencil- a list of important phone numbers and people you could call for help & the ability to leave a note with your vehicle if you walk away from it.
13. Drawstring bags to make kit portable, possibly with reflective tape on them to make you visible

Additional items you can add:

1. Wash cloths or rags
2. Duct tape
3. Rain poncho- these can help you keep warm as well because they trap body heat
4. Folding Shovel
5. Compass
6. Rope or tow chain
7. Old Cellphone with a charged battery and an adapter to plug into lighter (can still call 911)
8. Windshield scraper
9. Batteries
10. Battery powered radio
11. Medications (epi-pen, benadryl, inhaler, etc.)
12. Road salt, sand, or kitty litter for traction
13. Money, prepaid phone card
14. Contractor Trash Bags or other large bags- can be used as a poncho, tarp, or bag.

Also have in your car:

1. Jumper cables
2. Tire changing equipment- spare tire, tire iron, jack
3. Map of area where you are traveling

Tips:

1. Try to bring winter coats with whenever you travel in winter.  If people don’t want to wear them, throw them in the trunk.  This is really useful anyway for in case you end up outside at a park or somewhere longer than expected and want your coat.
2. In a blizzard (winter storm with limited visibility), it is best to stay in your vehicle.
3. If you are stranded and must leave your car, leave a piece of paper in the car on the dashboard with your name, address, phone number, and where you are going and the route you will take to get there.
4. In freezing weather when you are stuck in your car, run the car no more than 10 minutes an hour to conserve fuel.  Don’t expect to be comfortable.  This is survival.  Be aware of how far you will need to drive for help once the storm passes and try to conserve enough fuel for that trip.
5. If you don’t have a lot of trunk space, then spread kit items throughout the car, under seats, in the glove box, in the trunk, etc.  It looks pretty all in one container, but if that isn’t practical then don’t let that stop you from being prepared.
6. Try to always bring your cellphone with you. 
7. Line the seats or floor of your car with blankets.  The blankets will not only protect your seats from car seats but can be used to keep warm.

Emergency Car Kit Checklist:

 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqbF-X_Ux8JgdEt4WEc3U1A5SWYtZjBwTkMyVnFwVkE&usp=sharing