Well you may not be broken down like that rusty hulk in the picture but it never hurts to be prepared.
Yes I was a Boy Scout at one time in life and I'm a firm believer in being prepared.
There's nothing worse than being stuck somewhere and having no resources on hand to deal with the situation.
So based on the premise of being prepared here are the 10 things to carry in your car.
Photo Credit: Paleontour
Yes I was a Boy Scout at one time in life and I'm a firm believer in being prepared.
There's nothing worse than being stuck somewhere and having no resources on hand to deal with the situation.
So based on the premise of being prepared here are the 10 things to carry in your car.
Photo Credit: Paleontour
#1 Tire Gauge
You need to know what your pressure is.
Before you say it, I know most gas station air pressure systems have pressure gauges, but they are often wrong.
It's very important to keep your tires at the correct air pressure. Here's a few reasons: - Under-inflated tires will wear your tires faster. - Under-inflated tires will lower your fuel miles per gallon costing you more in fuel. - Over-inflated tires will increase your chances of blow out.
If you don't know the correct pressure for your particular car, look it up in your owner's manual or check the data plate on the door sill of the driver's side door.
A quick point. Don't forget to check the air pressure in your spare tire every now and then. A flat spare tire is useless if you need it.
Photo Credit: Amazon
It's very important to keep your tires at the correct air pressure. Here's a few reasons: - Under-inflated tires will wear your tires faster. - Under-inflated tires will lower your fuel miles per gallon costing you more in fuel. - Over-inflated tires will increase your chances of blow out.
If you don't know the correct pressure for your particular car, look it up in your owner's manual or check the data plate on the door sill of the driver's side door.
A quick point. Don't forget to check the air pressure in your spare tire every now and then. A flat spare tire is useless if you need it.
Photo Credit: Amazon
#2 A Good Flashlight
I helps when seeing in the dark.
Having a reliable flashlight is a must.
That's why I prefer having a crank flashlight. A crank flashlight requires that you crank a dynamo thereby building up a charge in a rechargeable battery.
You do have to crank it every now and then to keep the light on but it's a 100% better than turning on a battery flashlight and finding out that the batteries are dead. Because you seldom use a car flashlight chances are you don't check the batteries very often.
Some people will use their cell phone as a flashlight and that's okay unless you want to make a call and use the light at the same time or if your phone battery is getting low.
How about a crank flashlight that will charge your phone? That's right, and there's another benefit to the crank flashlight I recommend.
Photo Credit: Amazon
That's why I prefer having a crank flashlight. A crank flashlight requires that you crank a dynamo thereby building up a charge in a rechargeable battery.
You do have to crank it every now and then to keep the light on but it's a 100% better than turning on a battery flashlight and finding out that the batteries are dead. Because you seldom use a car flashlight chances are you don't check the batteries very often.
Some people will use their cell phone as a flashlight and that's okay unless you want to make a call and use the light at the same time or if your phone battery is getting low.
How about a crank flashlight that will charge your phone? That's right, and there's another benefit to the crank flashlight I recommend.
Photo Credit: Amazon
#3 Multitool
It performs a lot of functions.
Many do not know what a multifunction tool is. To put it simply it is a tool that has a number of different tools incorporated into it.
For example, the tool pictured at right has these tools: - Needle nose pliers - 2 knife blades, one flat, one serrated - Tweezers - Phillips head screwdriver - 2 flat head screwdrivers - Wire cutters - A bottle opener
These are not full sized tools, but are smaller versions. The purpose of this tool is to provide a useful tool in emergency situations that can provide assistance.
This was one of the first tools I bought and put in each of my cars. At this point I have used these tools dozens of times over the years and I am so thankful that I have them.
Photo Credit: Amazon
For example, the tool pictured at right has these tools: - Needle nose pliers - 2 knife blades, one flat, one serrated - Tweezers - Phillips head screwdriver - 2 flat head screwdrivers - Wire cutters - A bottle opener
These are not full sized tools, but are smaller versions. The purpose of this tool is to provide a useful tool in emergency situations that can provide assistance.
This was one of the first tools I bought and put in each of my cars. At this point I have used these tools dozens of times over the years and I am so thankful that I have them.
Photo Credit: Amazon
My First 3 Selections
#4 Battery Booster Cables
A dead battery can ruin your day.
I've had a set of battery booster/jumper cables as long as I can remember, and they have been used many, many times not only on my cars but friend's cars as well.
Many people don't have jumper cables because they are afraid to use them. They don't know how to use them and the thought of electricity and hooking things up under the hood of their car is frightening.
Their concerns are somewhat justified. You do need to learn how to properly and safely use the cables. But this is not such a monumental task. There a number of videos on Youtube that show how to properly use them. Besides that I'm sure everyone knows someone who can teach them how to safely use booster/jumper cables. So there is really no excuse.
Recommendation: Do not buy a cheap set of cables. These cables will be with you a lifetime, so get a good set.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Many people don't have jumper cables because they are afraid to use them. They don't know how to use them and the thought of electricity and hooking things up under the hood of their car is frightening.
Their concerns are somewhat justified. You do need to learn how to properly and safely use the cables. But this is not such a monumental task. There a number of videos on Youtube that show how to properly use them. Besides that I'm sure everyone knows someone who can teach them how to safely use booster/jumper cables. So there is really no excuse.
Recommendation: Do not buy a cheap set of cables. These cables will be with you a lifetime, so get a good set.
Photo Credit: Amazon
#5 First Aid Kit
Even if just for those cuts and scrapes
You're at the park with the kids and one of them falls and gets a small cut. So being prepared you go to your car get a bottle of water to rinse off the cut, open the first aid kit and put some antiseptic ointment on the cut and cover with a bandaid.
Can you do this if you had to? Do you have the water and first aid kit in your car?
First aid kits are another item that I swear by. The biggest problem I have is keeping them fully stocked because they are being used so much. And that by itself tells me just how valuable a good first aid kit is.
It's simple, I don't leave home without one.
If you don't know basic first aid you'd better learn some. I'm not saying this because you may need to use it on some injured person. I'm saying this because you may need to use on your child, spouse, or even yourself.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Can you do this if you had to? Do you have the water and first aid kit in your car?
First aid kits are another item that I swear by. The biggest problem I have is keeping them fully stocked because they are being used so much. And that by itself tells me just how valuable a good first aid kit is.
It's simple, I don't leave home without one.
If you don't know basic first aid you'd better learn some. I'm not saying this because you may need to use it on some injured person. I'm saying this because you may need to use on your child, spouse, or even yourself.
Photo Credit: Amazon
#6 Food and Water
Just in case.
This is not for snacking on the road. This Food & Water is for emergencies only.
Why have food and water?
I've already shown you one use for the water in cleaning a minor cut.
You should keep a few bottles of water and some food like protein bars in your car. Select food items that will store well, and not degrade with temperature extremes.
If you live in a cold environment, drain some of the water out of the water bottles to allow for freezing.
Another point on the water. Most bottled water has a fairly long shelve life, but I recommend you change it out on a regular basis to keep it fresh.
Why have food and water?
I've already shown you one use for the water in cleaning a minor cut.
You should keep a few bottles of water and some food like protein bars in your car. Select food items that will store well, and not degrade with temperature extremes.
If you live in a cold environment, drain some of the water out of the water bottles to allow for freezing.
Another point on the water. Most bottled water has a fairly long shelve life, but I recommend you change it out on a regular basis to keep it fresh.
#7 Power Inverter
More power for you phone and laptop.
Very few people even know what a power inverter is yet otherwise have one.
A power inverter is device which will take the power stored in your 12 volt car battery and convert it to the type of power needed by your cell phone, laptop, or other electrical device.
I bought my first power inverter over 20 years ago to power a household 13" television and vcr so we could play them in a van we had on long road trips.
I've always had a working power inverter since and over that time they have only gotten better. Today's power inverter will not only provide power for laptop but they also have USB jacks for you cell phone and they simply plug into your regular accessory port in your car.
Photo Credit: Amazon
A power inverter is device which will take the power stored in your 12 volt car battery and convert it to the type of power needed by your cell phone, laptop, or other electrical device.
I bought my first power inverter over 20 years ago to power a household 13" television and vcr so we could play them in a van we had on long road trips.
I've always had a working power inverter since and over that time they have only gotten better. Today's power inverter will not only provide power for laptop but they also have USB jacks for you cell phone and they simply plug into your regular accessory port in your car.
Photo Credit: Amazon
My Next 3 Recommendations
#8 Portable Radio
Yes, a portable radio.
I know, you have a radio in your car but in an emergency on the road you may have to abandon your car, which would then put you out of contact with current events.
The radio I recommend is a magnificent piece of equipment that is powered by solar and crank power which means you'll have power for it.
I own this radio and like it so much I wrote a review article about it.
You can read that article at: Solar Radio Review.
Photo Credit: Amazon
The radio I recommend is a magnificent piece of equipment that is powered by solar and crank power which means you'll have power for it.
I own this radio and like it so much I wrote a review article about it.
You can read that article at: Solar Radio Review.
Photo Credit: Amazon
#8 A Blanket
It's good to be warm.
You never know a blanket will come in handy. It could be just a cool at the soccer field or football game where you'll appreciate having a blanket.
As minimum I believe you should have some emergency blankets in your car. The blankets that I am referring to are what you used to be called "space blankets".
They are mylar blankets and they are designed to hold your natural body warmth. This then allows your own body warmth to keep you warm.
The mylar blankets are great for emergency use but you may also want a regular blanket for the park or ball game. For that purpose I have a wool picnic blanket that works very nicely.
Photo Credit: Amazon
As minimum I believe you should have some emergency blankets in your car. The blankets that I am referring to are what you used to be called "space blankets".
They are mylar blankets and they are designed to hold your natural body warmth. This then allows your own body warmth to keep you warm.
The mylar blankets are great for emergency use but you may also want a regular blanket for the park or ball game. For that purpose I have a wool picnic blanket that works very nicely.
Photo Credit: Amazon
#10 Binoculars
Not just for fun.
Binoculars may seem to be a bit excessive until you look at how thy can be used.
In an emergency they can be used as a signal mirror.
They can be used to help you orient yourself in an unknown area.
They can be used to see what's ahead on your route thereby preparing you for what's ahead.
On the fun side, they'll be useful for sightseeing, bird watching , or watching the big game.
Photo Credit: Amazon
In an emergency they can be used as a signal mirror.
They can be used to help you orient yourself in an unknown area.
They can be used to see what's ahead on your route thereby preparing you for what's ahead.
On the fun side, they'll be useful for sightseeing, bird watching , or watching the big game.
Photo Credit: Amazon
My Final 3 Recommendations
Conclusion
The 10 items listed in this article should be in your car.
If you don't have these items in your car I encourage you to start collecting them. Keep in mind that when you have these items you just transfer them from vehicle to vehicle as you go through life.
You'll be very glad you have these the first time your battery goes dead, your child gets a cut, or it gets cold at the Saturday soccer game.
For just a few dollars you can better equip yourself for emergencies. It's well worth the investment. So just skip a few lattes and start getting equipped.
If you don't have these items in your car I encourage you to start collecting them. Keep in mind that when you have these items you just transfer them from vehicle to vehicle as you go through life.
You'll be very glad you have these the first time your battery goes dead, your child gets a cut, or it gets cold at the Saturday soccer game.
For just a few dollars you can better equip yourself for emergencies. It's well worth the investment. So just skip a few lattes and start getting equipped.
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