Written by: John McLeish
Being prepared for emergency situations, and knowing what to do when they occur, is a key aspect of being a responsible driver. Assembling a car safety kit and keeping it in your vehicle at all times is a great way to be ready for anything that happens, particularly as the weather gets colder and conditions become more unpredictable. You can make a safety kit and keep it in a bag or small box in the trunk, or you can purchase one from stores such as Canadian Tire.
Whether you make it or buy it, make sure your kit contains the following items:
- A charged cellphone
- Food that won’t spoil, such as energy bars
- Water in plastic bottles
- Gloves
- Wool blanket
- Extra clothing
- First aid kit with a seatbelt cutter
- Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
- Candle and matches
- Wind-up flashlight
- Whistle
- Road maps
- Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Ice breaker or hammer
Before you head out, make sure that each item is in working condition and that you have extra batteries. In the winter, new water bottles should be packed before a road trip because the ones in your safety kit may have frozen. Keeping a safety kit in your vehicle at all times is a simple way to make sure that you are ready for whatever occurs on the roads this winter. It can even save lives.
