Safety Sense: 4 Emergency Essentials For Your Vehicle

Flat tires, dead batteries, burnt out fuses and low fluids are some of the most common causes of breakdowns. Install a metal toolbox or sturdy plastic crate in your vehicle filled with a variety of tools that at least include screwdrivers, wrenches, a tire gauge, a flat tire fix-it product, a battery charger, replacement fuses and bottles of fluids that help make your vehicle run smoothly. 

When it comes to emergency essentials for your vehicle, it’s better to plan ahead so that you have everything you need when the situation arises.

Nutritional Food

Many drivers forget the importance of having non-perishable snacks and water in their vehicles. You never know when you might find yourself suddenly dealing with low sugar, dehydration or a lengthy wait for a tow truck around meal time. 

You might also find another driver on the side of the road who needs nutritional help during a breakdown. If you have room in the trunk, consider installing an insulated cooler to store and organize this food. 

Keep in mind that a cooler and frozen bottles of water are also great for preventing spoiling of perishable foods and important medications during a long road trip or hot weather.

Medical Kit

Emergency medical concerns go beyond personal and roadside collision- and DIY repair-related injuries. Many drivers and passengers deal with sudden onset health problems like allergic reactions, heart attacks and choking. 

Make sure that your kit includes instructions for dealing with the most common injuries and ailments and medical supplies such as bandages, antibiotic ointment, burn cream, cold and heat packs, nausea, pain and antihistamine medicines, tweezers and safety scissors. 

Having a medical kit on hand will ensure that you can handle most emergency situations right then instead of waiting for medical supplies to arrive. In more serious situations, it can help you do what you need to do until EMS personnel arrive and take over the scene. However serious the medical situation, it is always a good idea to have a basic medical kit with you in your vehicle.

Contact Details

It is extremely important that you always keep emergency contact information in your vehicle, including employer contact information for those times when first responders can't reach your "in case of emergency" or "ICE" contacts. 

It also never hurts to have the contact information for trusted mechanics and automotive shops like Discount Tire Centers. You will want to have this information available to help ease the stress of a broken down car or flat tire.

These four essentials can help you handle most vehicle- and driving-related safety and emergency situations. Add them to your vehicle today.