Have you ever been stuck by the side of the road? It’s not something you really think about. I know I didn’t think about until AFTER I had been stranded. And being stranded by the side of the road in a rural area by myself was a huge eye-opener. Beyond keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape by making sure all the routine maintenance and repairs are up to date (which you can ask your dealership for a list of maintenance based on miles driven) there are a few things you should keep in your car for those unfortunate times you could find yourself stranded.
Blankets
This may sound silly, but keeping a few blankets in the car as part of your emergency kit is a good idea. If it’s winter and the car won’t turn on you’ll need something to keep yourself warm.
Hand and Feet Warmers
This one is more for the winter time in the colder states but having a few of these in your roadside emergency kit can mean a world of difference. The warmers are easy to activate and then you can stick them in your mittens or shoes to keep warm or even under some blankets to warm up as well.
MyCharge Portable Charger
I’m a big fan of MyCharge Portable Chargers because they come in a wide variety including chargers that can power up a laptop for a few hours. I will caution, this emergency kit item will need to be taken out and charged every so often and used to make sure it keeps holding a charge. If you are stranded and your car won’t start this is a great way to keep your cell phone charged without running the battery down.
Roadside Emergency Kit
At the very least, every car should have a standard roadside emergency kit. These will have jumper cables, flares, and a few other basic supplies. This is a great kit to start out with and then add a few extra items depending on the time of year and if you are driving around town or going on an extended trip.
Snacks
As a mom, I always have a few snacks in my bag but during the winter months, I try to keep a few bottles of water and some granola bars in the armrest of my SUV. Even in the summer, I tend to have snacks too but those I bring with me and do store them in the car due to the heat. And those snacks come in handy. I’ve never had to use them for being stuck by the side of the road with my daughter but I have used them to help avoid a meltdown when I’ve picked up a hungry child from school or activity.
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