In surprising times, when no one is anticipating it, emergencies arise. Most people today are at least prepared when it comes to disaster and emergency management. In fact that is generally the only time when they realize how exposed they are. Driving can be fun, but when an emergency occurs such a flat tire or engine problem, things can be really bad. Emergencies do not respect seasons and times of day, they can occur in the morning, afternoon, or deep into the night. Regardless if you are far from home or in the middle of nowhere and worse still, during rainy seasons or stormy weather.
The only thing that can save you when such an incident happens is preparedness. If you have an emergency kit, you can simply pull it out and fix the issue at hand. The unwritten rule of thumb while driving, both short and long distances, is to always carry with you emergency equipment that can help you navigate to the next point of assistance. Breakdown and towing services usually have emergency lines that you can call for assistance.
The reality is that before the response team gets to where you are, you need to have made headway through your situation. Below are ten items that can go a long way in helping you navigate through emergency situations:
Carry Cash Instead of Cards
Credit and debit cards are a very secure way of handling cash but in emergencies, what helps the most is liquid cash. Emergencies happen in places that may not have ATMs or any stores that could be accepting cards. This is the point when cash becomes vital. There are a few things that you may need to buy, such as tubes and spotlights, which may be difficult to get with cards.
Bottles of Water
Water is a universal solvent and as such you need to carry some of it in your car. It can be useful for drinking purposes and for car repair. When your engine overheats, for instance, you may need some fluid to cool it down and water can be a perfect coolant for an overheating engine. Your battery water could also run out and the only alternative you may have is water to take you to the next point or filling station.
Fast Food
This may sound ridiculous but having foodstuffs in your car can be a very intelligent move. Ready to eat foods can be very helpful. You can carry foodstuffs like oatmeal, crackers, energy foods, granola etc. Emergencies can happen in places that do not have restaurants and before towing services locate you, you could be hungry.
First Aid Kits
This is emphasized in most driving schools. You need to have a complete set of first aid kits to help you deal with minor injuries and accidents. Bandages, gauze, scissors, aspirin drugs, burn cream and cold compresses are just some of the things that you should include in your kit.
Extra Blankets
There are times when you will be forced to spend the night in cold places. A blanket can be of utmost help to keep you warm as you wait for the morning where you can get assistance or even get in contact with towing services.
Flashlight
Carrying a flashlight is one of the habits that you should not abandon. Ensure that you always have a flashlight and some spare batteries where necessary. Emergencies like tires at night could be difficult to handle if you do not have a source of light.
Always Carry a Knife
Knives can serve you well during such incidents. You may have to cut some things during the repair and fixing of your vehicle. Aside from this, it could happen that the place where you have an emergency is in the bush or a forest; a knife can be an excellent defensive tool.
Jumper Cables
These are a must-have in most cars. With these cables, you can get assistance from another car in jumpstarting your battery and engine. They need to be long enough because you never know the kind of vehicle that may stop to help you with a jumpstart.
While it is advisable that you have emergency numbers of towing companies and mobile mechanics, you also need to be prepared in your own way to handle small emergencies and simple repairs that may enable you to hold on as you wait for the towing company to respond.
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Evans Crew is a disaster preparedness manager. He trains professionals including drivers on how to anticipate disasters, emergencies, and prepare for them in advance. He is contracted by companies such wilsonstowing.com.au – gold coast towing to help advise their clients on how to manage disasters.
