Whether living in the city or commuting a distance you should always be prepared with a good kit in your car. We should all realize, we can be “stuck” at work for the night due to power outages, civil disruptions, weather, or a variety of other reasons. There are often reports of people being stranded in their car for hours due to a snowstorm, landslide, fire or accident. You may also find yourself stranded in an unfamiliar city while on vacation due to an earthquake, civil unrest, or a natural disaster. Having a good kit in your car can make all of these times an adventure rather than a drudgery.

If you should have to or choose to evacuate due to a disaster of any kind, having a kit ready to go in your car may save valuable time as you attempt to beat the inevitable traffic nightmares. Imagine trying to flee a dangerous situation only to have a hose burst. Imagine being stuck on the road in an hours long traffic jam during a blizzard or heat wave. Your car is an important part of any emergency plan. Every vehicle needs a good auto kit. Boring maybe, essential, yes.

This week gather as many of these items as possible from around the house and make a list of items you will need to purchase.

  • Flare and/or Emergency 12-inch glow sticks or emergency triangles.
  • Two quarts of oil.
  • Gallon of antifreeze.
  • Jumper cables.
  • Extra hoses.
  • Extra fuses.
  • Multipurpose tool.
  • Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat).
  • Tire pressure gauge.
  • Tools appropriate for working on the vehicle.
  • Work Gloves.
  • Set of maps marked with evacuation routes.
  • Emergency contact phone numbers.
  • 70 feet of Rope. Use to help tow your car out of a snowbank or to make a shelter.
  • A tarp is great for creating shelter or placing on the ground when putting on chains.
  • Plastic trash bags for sanitation and protection from the rain and snow as a poncho.
  • First aid kit including basic medications.
  • First Aid Guide.
  • Wool or Wool blend Blankets or sleeping bags. Wool blanket will keep you warm even after they get wet.
  • Number 10 can. Use to scoop snow or water, build a fire, heat food, etc.
  • Waterproof Matches or lighter.
  • Fire Starter.
  • Mylar Emergency blanket. Several. Small, cheap and can be used in dozens of ways. Great for warmth, shelter, lining shoes and boots to keep feet dry, signaling to rescuers, and on and on. Check your Totally Ready binder for a list of dozens of uses.
  • Flashlight and extra batteries (not stored in flashlight).
  • Glow Sticks. These are wonderful for light at night inside the car, won’t run down batteries, and safe for children.
  • Small candle with non-flammable container. An empty tuna can works well. If stranded in the snow or cold run the engine 10 minutes every hour and leave the candle burning to stay warmer.
  • Roll of paper towels and/or rags.
  • Spray bottle with window washer fluid
  • Rain Poncho. Light colors are best, yellow or white, that will reflect headlights at night if you are changing a tire. Wear even if it isn’t raining to be seen more easily.
  • Ice scraper.
  • Small folding shovel.
  • Set of tire chains or traction mats.
  • Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction if you get stuck in snow or ice)
  • Pen and paper and leave message.
  • Help sign to place in the window.
  • Survival Energy Bars or other longer-term food. Emergency energy bars that are rated with a five-year shelf life are perfect. Most taste great and the cold weather won’t affect them. Granola bars that are rotated frequently are also great.
  • Nothing with salt should be stored.
  • Survival packaged water. Emergency water pouches are perfect for this. Should they freeze they will not burst. Glass containers are dangerous, plastic bottles may burst if the temperature is below freezing.
  • Water filter.
  • Bright orange safety vest.
  • Sewing kits.
  • Whistles are great to signal rescue workers and also to keep track of anyone who is leaving the car to look for help. Plan to blow a whistle every few minutes if someone is leaving the car to look for help. This will help those venturing out find their way back to the car and also let them know when they are getting too far away and should return to the car. Do not leave the car to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow. It may be necessary to search for firewood or to signal rescuers. Tie the rope around your waste and once the rope is “used up” it is time to return to the car. Consider developing a family whistle pattern that can be recognized when you become separated. think morse code as an example. A unique whistle pattern will help you to recognize each other and as you keep blowing you will be led to each other.
  • Change of clothing and also a sweater and/or jacket.
  • Hat, and gloves and/or mittens.
  • Sunglasses and sunblock. Snow blindness is a real thing so even in winter sunglasses are necessary.
  • Cash in small denominations, nothing bigger than a $10.00 bill. If the power is down you will need cash for anything you need to purchase.
  • Car cell phone charger.
  • Moist towelettes. You need them for washing hands after meals and after a potty break.
  • Toilet paper.
  • Hygiene supplies/Feminine supplies.
  • A book, games, cards to keep you busy and calm in the event you get stuck.

This may seem like a lot for an auto kit but we are preparing for any emergency not just a break down. Do you remember the couple stuck along with dozens of others in a Colorado snowstorm? Everyone was starving and kids crying and then they spotted a bread truck stuck as well! The owners of the company told the driver to open the truck and give away the bread. You may not be that lucky, so prepare now.

Carolyn is always available to answer questions and share tips at Totallyready.com and on Facebook. For those wanting information or to participate creating Christmas ornaments for disaster survivors visit Operation Ornaments on Facebook and on Carolyn’s blog.