Vehicle Preparedness and Safety

Guest author (and my very own hubster) G.W. has written a great set of guidelines for making sure your vehicle is stocked and ready to go in the event you need to get out of Dodge!

When talking about emergency preparedness and safety, your vehicle is one of your most important assets.  This summer there were numerous wild fires and how did people get out of the path?  In their vehicles.  A lot of people had very little notice as the fires swept over the ridge forcing them to leave their homes with just the clothes on their backs.  If you only had 5 – 15 minutes to grab what you could from your home before you had to flee, what would you take?  If your vehicle was already prepared and you had a personal survival kit already assembled then you might have time to gather up some family photos or other irreplaceable mementos.   

There are a number of good tips that can help keep you and your family safe as you navigate your way out of a natural disaster area.  I’ve attempted to list several of them in this article. 

Preparedness Kits.  In my humble opinion there are two types of preparedness kits you should have in your car at all times - a vehicle safety kit and a personal survival kit.  Below are some suggested items to include in each kit.  Items should be stored in airtight plastic bags inside storage containers.

Vehicle Safety Kit

Air Pump / Compressor Battery-Operated Radio w/ Extra Batteries Candles Cigarette Lighter Compass / GPS Unit Duct Tape Fire Extinguisher (ABC-Type) Flashlight w/ Extra Batteries Ice Scraper Jumper Cables Latex Gloves (At Least 2 Pair) Light Sticks Map of Area Matches In Waterproof Container

Plastic Storage Bags (Zip Lock) Radiator Stop Leak Road Flares Sand / Cat Litter for Traction on Ice / Snow Shovel Survival Knife T-Style Lug Wrench Tarp (6′X6′) (Can be used to make a temporary shelter or as a ground cloth to keep you dry) Tire Chains Tire Pressure Gauge & Fix A Flat Tow Strap Trash Bags (Construction Weight) (Can be used as an emergency poncho, to help keep your sleeping bag dry, or to gather and carry water.)

Personal Survival Kit

Blankets / Sleeping Bag Cash, Coins For Phones Cell Phone First Aid Kit / Special Medications Whistle Toilet Paper / Towelette

Games / Books for Kids (if appropriate) Infant Diapers and Wipes (if appropriate) Infant Formula (if appropriate) Personal Hygiene / Feminine Items  Pet Supplies (if appropriate)

Food - Choose whole grain cereals, nuts, energy bars, peanut butter, and food with high liquid content; avoid food that makes you thirsty.  Any special diet foods.  Remember a portable can opener should you chose any canned foods. Water - 1 gal/ person, for 24-hour period. (Write date on all food / water, replace every 6 months.) Spare Clothes - Gloves, hat, sturdy shoes, boots, wool socks, jacket, rain gear, etc. clothing that can be layered

How robust this kit will be for your particular vehicle may depend on several factors. You may want some or all of these items or none at all depending on the vehicle you drive, geographic location, and time of the year.  Keep in mind that during the winter there are other items that should be included, so your kit should be updated with the changing of the seasons.  I’ve tried to make this a simple, but complete list for a basic kit.  I readily acknowledge that this is not the end all list, but it should definitely be a good start.

Keep your vehicle gassed up and ready to go.  Try and maintain your vehicle at a minimum of ½ a tank. Whenever it drops below that it’s an easy and quick stop at the gas station to fill it back up.  Consider that in a natural disaster situation where everyone is trying to get away from the disaster area, the lines at the gas station may be long if the gas stations are even open at all.  It could be total chaos and if you are spending time trying to procure resources (such as fuel) that are in high demand instead of putting distance between yourself and the threat area (if that is the most desired course of action for you and your family), then you will have a much more difficult time escaping.

Maintain your vehicle.  This may seem obvious but in the rush of our daily lives sometimes things get pushed to the side, forgotten or procrastinated until the last minute.  Make sure you keep your oil changed, tires properly inflated, brakes in good working order, lights (headlights, high-beams, fog lights if you have them, turn signals, brake lights, tail lights etc) inspected and maintained. If there are any mechanical issues that you suspect could be a problem, try to address them early and get them taken care of immediately. You never know when disaster could strike and trying to fix your vehicle when you should be driving it, could cost you valuable time when you can’t afford to be sitting in place. In addition to keeping a survival kit in your car, also keep an emergency car tool kit.

Keep your doors locked.  This a good rule of thumb whether you are parked (to avoid unwanted visitors waiting inside when you are not in your vehicle) or whether you are driving.  If you are stuck in any type of traffic or situation where you are moving slowly and the door flies open with someone wanting to help themselves to a ride or more, it adds whole new level of complication to your evacuation plan.  

On a daily basis I could probably live out of my truck for 3 days and when I add in my emergency winter box that timeframe could extend out to about a week.  The most important factor in any disaster situation is to have a plan and include others who will be involved in helping to develop and accomplish the goals of that plan.  If you have other tips that you’d like to offer, please comment below.