Emergency Preparedness Kit

Planning for a car accident is not a lot of fun, but it could keep you safe. Before stepping into your vehicle today consider if you travel with the essential emergency tools that could keep yourself well in case of a car crash. Here’s a basic emergency car kit list:

Basic Emergency Preparedness Kit

* cell phone
* disposable camera
* pen and paper
* medical information card – detailing insurance numbers, allergies and conditions that may require special attention if you are not conscious.
* contact names and numbers: emergency numbers and relatives contacts
* first aid kit
* small road cones, emergency flares
* Mylar blankets

After a flying truck wheel hit our car, I quickly discovered I was not fully prepared for a car crash. I didn’t have my cell phone, we would have loved some small road cones to set around our car to alert passing drivers of the accident, and a Mylar “space” blanket would have kept me warm. After the accident my body temperature dropped drastically and I got very cold waiting for the police to arrive.

There are many companies who put together “Road Assistance Kits” boasting several pieces and gadgets. Many of these kits are pricey and contain cheaply constructed tools so beware if you’re looking for an all-in-one safety solution. A better approach may be to purchase only the items you need (like booster cables, LED flashlights, and bandages) and spend a bit more for quality tools. The last thing you want is an essential tool to break when you need it.