Survival Blog - Prepare your car for emergencies

Survival Blog

Prepare your car for emergencies

If you have a car, you already have had the speech about maintaining it properly. Even if you get your oil changed, though, there are a million things you probably haven’t considered, like how you’ll prepare your car for an emergency.

Now, you can prepare any car for emergencies. Even if it’s a small car, you should keep it stalked with water and food. That way, if you need to make a quick getaway, or if you’re stuck on the side of the road, you have something to sustain you. However, you should consider how it’s stored when putting it in your trunk or under your seat. Pick food that has a long shelf life and can handle a high temperature. When storing water, make sure the container can stand a high temperature as well. Make sure to use water containers that are made with food-safe plastic, or glass, so your water won’t get contaminated. Also, don’t fill the container with water that has not been treated because bacteria can grow and make the consumer sick.

Your car should always have jumper cables. Even if you’re totally confident in your car (which no one is), you can use them to help out someone else. Make sure you know how to use them properly, however, because improper use can result in severe damage to either car, as well as a risk for injuries or fatalities. You can also have a separate battery to jump start a car, that way you don’t need to call up anyone else or wave someone down off the highway.

You should always have your spare with you as well as all the tools you’ll need to put the spare on. These should be stored in a place where you can access them relatively easily. Again, don’t use these tools if you don’t know how. You don’t want your spare flying off, because then you’ll really have nothing. A map and a list of phone numbers can also prove to be very helpful. Also, extra gasoline is nice when you need it, but also consider that it is extra flammable material in your car and must always be stored properly.

You should keep a fire extinguisher, flashlight and batteries in your car at all times. You should also consider protection, because auto theft has always been popular among criminals. For extra preparation, keep survival gear such as a whistle, vital medications, rain gear, blankets, toilet paper, tarp, survival food and any special equipment for certain people in your family, such as infants and the elderly.

It is recommended that you check your emergency gear every six months so you know everything is in proper condition.