Emergency Kits for Your Vehicle - what to include...

Preparing your vehicle for winter is something everyone says they are going to do, but in reality how many of us actually do it?? While you can certainly purchase an emergency kit from most any store that sells automotive supplies, you can also put one together yourself.

This list is not all inclusive but these are items that should be included in your Emergency Kit and kept in your vehicle or the trunk:

• a properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and jack
• a shovel (in Minnesota the folding shovels work really well)
• jumper cables (always check the recommended type according to your vehicle's manual - larger vehicles usually require cables of a stronger capacity)
• basic tools (wrench, screwdriver, fuses, etc.)
• flashlight and batteries (there are also emergency flashlights that you hand crank that eliminate the need for batteries)
• reflective triangles (to put out behind your vehicle) or road flares
• first aid kit (remember to check the expiration date of medication annually and keep it well stocked)
• ice scraper and snowbrush
• wooden matches in a waterproof container
• non-perishable, high energy foods (unsalted nuts, dried fruit, candy, etc.)
• coat, hat and gloves
• blankets and towels
• can in which to melt snow or ice
• bottles of water - change these out if they freeze
• bag of sand or kitty litter (for weight or to put on icy spots)
• extra bottle of windshield washer fluid (suitable for below freezing temperatures)
• other items to consider include - can of lock de-icer, compass, cell phone charger, safety vest, tow chains, NOAA weather radio.

Remember, Safety is no accident!!

Information courtesy of the National Safety Council, submitted by Pam McCreary