Do It Yourself: Roadside Emergency Kit

We know that driving around with extra, unnecessary items in your vehicle can reduce your MPG. We talked about improving your MPG in a previous post. Taking the junk out of the trunk is one of the first steps you can take to save gas and money.

But, what DO you need in your trunk?

Put together an inexpensive Roadside Emergency Kit. It will come in handy in case of a breakdown or an emergency. Here’s what you need:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket(s)
• First Aid kit
• Road maps
• Small fire extinguisher
• A pair of work gloves
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• A pair of old tennis shoes or boots
• 3 – 4 road flares
• Extra fluids – oil, washer fluid, antifreeze (A quart of each should be enough!)
• Large, strong plastic bags (This could be used for a variety of things! Storing a flat tire, making it into a poncho…)
• Duct tape
• Plastic zip ties
• Granola bars or energy bars
• A few basic tools – screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, etc.
• A gallon of water
• Pocket knife
• Extra medications you might need. (But be careful if they need to remain at a certain temperature.)

For the winter, you might consider adding a warm winter coat, hat, waterproof gloves, a shovel, kitty litter (for traction) and those hand/feet warmers activated by air.

Does that list seem long to you? Consider purchasing a trunk organizer to neatly store your car emergency kit and prevent items from rolling around. Organizers can be purchased at Target, Walmart, or even, Amazon.com. Other car organizers can come in handy, too. Look for organizers to hang on the back of your seat or your visor. It is best to keep items stored while driving to prevent flying objects in the event of an accident or an emergency stop. You may also want to consider storing items more logically. If you are in an accident and cannot access the trunk, it would sure help to have some supplies near your seat. Think logically and use organizers to keep you safe on the road!