Whether you live in the city, country or somewhere in between, you need to make sure that the vehicles you drive contain some sort of emergency survival car kit, just in case. Because we spend so much time in our cars, if disaster were to strike, it’s a good bet that we could be in our cars at the time of disaster. It could be that we’re fleeing the our home for a safer location or simply trying to get home to our loved ones. Regardless of the reason, to be prepared, you should put together several kits to keep in all vehicles. This will protect you and your family regardless of which car one of you took the day disaster struck.
A car or truck, to some degree is going to protect you against the elements. However, if you’re stuck in your car for days, you need to be prepared. Warmth, in cold areas or during the winter, is the most pressing issue. The first thing you should pack is a thick wool blanket. Wool is best because it sheds moisture and it will help protect you from hypothermia. If possible, pack more than one blanket as you may not be the only one in the car when disaster hits.
Next, you need to think about food and water in your survival kit. While it’s all right to throw in a a gallon water jug of water to use, don’t expect that to be enough if you’re stuck in your car for days. You should also purchase some water purification tablets. These tablets are a gold mine at just under $5 and will purify just about any water source you may run across in less than 30 minutes. You can use the now empty gallon jug to gather extra water from snow, a nearby stream or lake. When it comes to food, you don’t necessarily have to have the freeze dried packs that you see in camping supply stores. They’re more expensive and while they work fine, they are often harder to find. Instead, take a look in your local large grocery store. Look for dehydrated items that need only water to be added. Examples include mashed potato flakes and pasta mixes. Add some beef jerky, trail mix and tuna packages (not the cans) for some variety. Vienna sausages are also a good item to throw in. Look at the expiration dates on everything and try to pick the newest batches to go in your survival kit. And a word to the wise, don’t put chocolate candy bars in the kit as they’ll melt during the summer days in the car.
The one other main area you need to stock in your kit is medical supplies. A well stocked first aid kit is paramount to a survival kit’s success. Pack band aids, anti-bacterial ointment and ibuprofen as a start. Additionally, put in some toilet paper, a flashlight and batteries, and a few trash bags. While you can never be prepared for every disaster, you can certainly try. Check your expiration dates on a regular basis so that you can rotate them out, replacing them with fresh supplies. Just like a fire extinguisher that you may never need, invest a small amount of money to keep you and your family safe, just in case the worst does happen.