Monday, February 18, 2013

A car kit update




A few weeks ago I had a mini emergency while I was running errands, so I opened up my car emergency kit and was sad to see that it was mostly empty.  We had used the, first aid supplies, water, and food.   It was definitely time to restock. 
My car kit is one that I use all the time.  It is there for big emergencies and for every day emergencies so it needs to be restocked about every six months. 

We store all of our supplies in a large tote.  I like the tote because I don't have things rolling around in the car, also it is easy to pack around.  
 
Here is what I added:

First Aid Kit: 
I purchased a premade kit from Wal-Mart for $9.00 and then added, tissues, more Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, tums, Tylenol, lotion, a toothbrush, night quil/day quil, and children’s Tylenol.   I still need to add children’s Benadryl.  I LOVE the premeasured children’s Benadryl but it is hard to find.   (I can find it at Walgreens sometimes).

This is what the Benadryl looks like: 
It is the thing we use the very most in our first aid kit.  It seems that where ever we are there is a kid that is having an allergic reaction.  It is a must for our kit. 

Food:
Cheese and Crackers,
Pb and J Cracker
Cliff Bars
Bottled Water
Emergency Supplies
Blanket—this is fleece on one side and is water proof on the others.  This makes it awesome for a picnic, or a in the rain it works for a poncho.



Tools
Ratchet—both US and Metric sockets
Hammer
Screwdriver—Philips and flat head (the flip around ones are perfect)
Leather Gloves
Work Towels (we like the blue garage/shop towels)
Jack and Tire Iron—make sure you know where it is and how to use it.
Jumper Cables

Snow Grabber Mat

I live where there is deep snow for four or five months a year and getting stuck in the snow is always a possibility.  A few weeks ago a neighbor slid off the rode in front of my house and landed in a huge snow bank.  I watched as he and a large group of men dug out their Suburban, they tried ever trice in the book to get the suburban out but could not get any traction and the car was stuck.  After a while a teenage girl brought over these Grabber mats, slid them under the tires and they effortlessly drove out.  I talked to her father about the mats later in the week and he told me that they use them all the time and they always work.  You can find them at the local Wal-Mart or online

All of our tools are stored together in a tool bag. (with the exception of the snow grabber mat it is too big for the bag.