Disaster Readiness for the Car

Things to know

• Be sure every driver can change a tire alone.
• Be sure every driver knows how to use jumper cables safely.

Things to have in the front

• Gloves
  
• Some people need glasses to drive. They should keep a spare pair in each car. You can buy them over the Internet for $7. This way you can get home if something happens to your glasses or contacts.
• Keep a full set of maps in every car, but don't waste space storing maps of places you don't go frequently.
• A compass to help navigate in a data outage
  
• Keep a rain poncho in each car, a disposable one will do. They are small.
• Keep two flashlights with fresh batteries in every car. When batteries get old the flashlight will pretend to work in order to trick you. It will light for a minute or two and then fade. You think you have two working flashlights, but you really have none. The temperature extremes in a car are hard on batteries.
• Keep a zip-kit in the car. It is small, cheap, and handy.
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher that can handle oil fires.  Don't bury it, you may need it quickly. Shake it vigorously every 6 months to keep the power from caking; the car's vibration packs the powder. Service or replace it when it expires.
• Keep a magnetic key case with keys in it. Stick it somewhere improbable and difficult to get to. Juvenile delinquents prowl parking lots feeling under bumpers for these key cases.
• Have hand cleaner and paper towels or hand-wipes in a convenient place for spills and dirty hands.
  
• Tissue or paper towels in your car can be used for toilet paper in an emergency; Very handy when traveling.
• Spare phone charger, and a way to charge your phone in the car.
  

Things to have in the back

• Work gloves
  
• Keep jumper cables in the trunk. Remember that the acid residue on used jumper cables can ruin delicate things.
• Keep two sturdy reusable grocery bags in each car. They fold flat and are really handy.
  
• Keep a toolbox in every car. It should have work gloves, hose-clamps, zip-ties, both kinds of screwdriver, an adjustable wrench with an insulated handle, pliers with insulated handles, spare lug nuts, and spare fuses.
• Keep a warm waterproof windbreaker in each car. It will fit in a big zip-lock bag. You or your passenger will forget to bring a jacket on a regular basis.
• Keep a couple reflective vests in your car. They can save your life. In some countries, the police will give you a ticket if they see you on foot near a road without your vest. Using a vest is good advice, like wearing a seat belt.
  
• Keep three reflective hazard triangles, three flares, and three light-sticks in your car.
• Keep a gallon of water good for either drinking or the radiator (preferably in little bottles). Replace it every 6 months. Trivia: Diet soda works in a radiator in emergencies.
  
• Keep a quart of oil or two in your car.
• Keep a spare gas cap and a few spare valve stem caps.
• If you sometimes wear impractical shoes (like heels), keep some practical shoes ziplocked in the trunk.
• Bungie cords and a rope
  
• A tire pressure gauge
• If you have room in the trunk, keep a 72-hour kit. This is a bag containing everything you need to get by for 3 days. It is always handy to have a toothbrush and change of clothes. What if you want to spontaneously spend the night somewhere? This is invaluable if you cannot get home or have to leave in a hurry.
• Snow socks for your tires
• Keep a wool blanket in the car. It is handy for padding cargo and invaluable in a breakdown.
• A folding shovel is really handy and can also get a car un-stuck.
• A tow rope is handy for getting unstuck.
• If you sometimes face ice, keep a bag of sand or kitty litter for getting unstuck.
  
• Keep a windshield scraper and a spare bottle of windshield de-icer in the trunk.