Warning: Missing argument 2 for wpdb::prepare(), called in /home/ott/public_html/nhpw.com/wp-content/plugins/sharebar/sharebar.php on line 112 and defined in /home/ott/public_html/nhpw.com/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 990
Warning: Missing argument 2 for wpdb::prepare(), called in /home/ott/public_html/nhpw.com/wp-content/plugins/sharebar/sharebar.php on line 124 and defined in /home/ott/public_html/nhpw.com/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 990
Since many people spend so much time in the car commuting or traveling, having a kit with emergency supplies on hand is important in case something goes wrong. However, most people are not sure where to start, and pre-made emergency kits may not contain everything that a driver needs for their hypothetical emergency preparation. While emergency kits will generally vary from household to household, there are a few components that are relatively universal and include personal first aid kits, supplies for slick roads and an emergency cash stash.
It is important to keep personal first aid kits on hand in case of a minor medical emergency, since these problems often arise during trips. A good kit should contain various sizes of adhesive bandages, several thicknesses and widths of gauze and medical tape, adhesive butterfly closures for deep wounds and an antiseptic ointment with topical anesthetic. It should also include instant hot and cold packs, a mild painkiller such as acetaminophen, and extra medications for any specific needs in the household, including diabetics, asthmatics or anyone with severe allergies that may need an epinephrine shot in an emergency.
Additionally, it is important to be prepared for road conditions, especially when traveling in areas that are particularly prone to ice. In cold weather, even rain can quickly turn into slick ice on the road, creating a traveling hazard when ice and snow build up, causing cars to get stuck in ditches or even in the middle of the road. Keeping a bag of unscented non-clumping cat litter in the trunk can be valuable for these situations, since all that it takes to melt snow and ice around the tires is to pour some litter around it and wait.
Having a small stash of money on hand can help in a variety of situations, especially since it is hard to gauge every situation to prepare for. Some cash can be hidden in a discreet spot, such as placed in an opaque card and hidden underneath the carpet, in the seat or above the headliner. Any necessary supplies that are not in the emergency kit can be picked up in a pinch using the hidden cash, or it can be used for other spur-of-the-moment needs such as travel repairs or car maintenance supplies to fix a minor emergency on the road.
Ideally, an emergency car kit should be tailored to fit the household that uses the car, and will include many other personalized elements. The entire family should discuss what needs to be in the kit and how they can access it in a pinch. However, every kit should begin with a few universal items that are important to every household, including personal first aid kits, something for quick ice melting and a hidden stash of money for emergency cash use.