Emergency Supplies Blog

GET AN AUTO EMERGENCY KIT.  THIS CHECKLIST WILL HELP YOU PLAN FOR JUST ABOUT ANY AUTO EMERGENCY.  

Bottled water, food bars, fire extinguisher, flashlight, tool kit, jumper cables, windshield scraper, tow rope, wire, duct tape, electrical tape, leather gloves, road flares and/or reflective sign, solar blanket, shovel, knife, facial tissue, paper towels, fix a flat or air compressor, jack, sand and sand, maps, compasss, cell phone, 12 volt strobe light, marine flares, CB radio, paper and pen, whistle, a first aid kit, leather gloves, hand and body warmers.

My husband and boys are very active outdoorsmens.  They do a lot of fishing and hunting and have minor injuries from time to time.  Nevertheless, I found this great little roll up outdoor first aid kit that, is perfect for what they do. The kit can go in the truck glove box and/or the fishing boat glove box.   I actually bought 3 of them, one for my husband and one for each son, since they were only $30.00 each.  One ended up in the truck glove box and the boys put their’s in their fishing tackel box.   They liked the kits because they were not big and bulky.  I feel better about the situation and they really appreciated the gift.   

I believe every parent should have a well stocked first aid kit and a good CPR book.  You never know when you’ll need it, but if you do you’ll be ready.  I personally like to use a mid size plastic container with latches and a carry handle.  You want your box to be roomy enough to store all of your supplies, a solar blanket, and your CPR book.  It’s a good idea to tape your list of emergency contact numbers to the top of your box.  I buy an average sized first aid kit and then I add the items below if they are not included.

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Neosporin
• Alcohol Wipes
• Tweezer
• Fingernail Clipper
• Safety Pins
• Sterile Gauze
• Adhesive Tape & Gauze Rolls
• Bandages in Multiple Sizes
• Self Sticking Elastic Bandages
• Tylenol – Child & Adult
• Thermometer
• Latex Gloves
• Flashlight & Batteries
• Solar and/or Fleece Blanket
• Your Emergency Numbers

When you leave for work in the morning, you never know what the day is going to bring. Maybe they’ll be a freak ice storm, and you find yourself stuck on the freeway and unable to get home. Maybe you’ll be involved in a car accident, and you’ll be in need of emergency gear. We want to believe these kinds of things aren’t possible, because they’re unpleasant to think about. But the truth is that they do happen every day, and the best way we can deal with that is by being prepared.

That’s why you shouldn’t get in your car unless you’re stocked with any number of auto emergency kits. These can contain a variety of products, but the most extensive will have a first aid kit as well as a survival blanket, flashlight, batteries, spare food, and water. Whatever they possess, they might just prove a tremendous help if you ever do find yourself stuck in an unexpected and unpleasant situation.

 Sometimes in our life we face certain unusual or emergency situations or accidents for which we are generally not prepared. In today’s fast paced life, most of us use cars for traveling. In the rush of reaching our destinations we often make the mistake of avoiding important safety measures, the result of which can be disastrous road accidents.  A road accident may happen due to a vehicle colliding with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or with geographical or architectural obstacles. Most of these accidents result in injury, property damage and sometimes even death. Though a well designed and well managed vehicle with good brakes, tires and well adjusted suspension is always easier to control in an emergency situation, keeping emergency supplies within easy reach is highly advisable.

The absence of proper auto emergency kits and first aid kits in cars can prove very costly. Accident survivors may succumb to death in the absence of emergency medical care or first aid. Many accident victims have come out as survivors of automobile accidents as they had disaster kits in their cars. Statistical records show that motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States. Since accidents do not come with a warning, acquainting yourself with proper first aid supplies in your car can save you in life risk situations.

What all should you have in your auto emergency kit? When it comes to long distance travel, a road emergency kit should be selected based on the road conditions, distance of the journey, the environment, weather as well as the traffic conditions on the road. Keep these factors in mind while deciding what should be there in your kit and what can be left behind. Some of the basic items to help you get back on the road quickly and safely include the following.

Since tire bursts or slow leaks are a common cause of accidents, carrying a 12 Volt tire pump or an aerosol tire inflator is necessary.

A car battery charger or simple jumper cables that you can use to start the car if it has failed without warning. It works wonders if charged fully.

Duct tape and wire to fix windows or pipes are other important items to carry in your automobile emergency kit.

A fire extinguisher.

A flash light if you are driving at night or have to cover a long distance that might include night-time driving.

If it is winter, carry ice scrapers, solar blankets, and heating sticks to keep you warm.

If you are stranded in your car a few food bars and some water will be needed.

Your auto emergency kit should have a sharp pocket knife to cut seat belts and duct tapes if required.

The basic first aid supplies are cotton balls, plastic bandages, more wet naps, large gauze, and rubber gloves are a must.

Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes for disinfection.

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Adhesive bandages, sterile dressings and surgical tapes.

Eye-cleansing solutions and burn ointment.

Over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers and anti-diarrhea medications.

All of these will help accident victims to survive a crash before the paramedics and other rescue services arrive.

Last but not the least is an injury-information card that describes the symptoms, treatment, the cognitive rehabilitation and the recovery from any mishap prior to getting professional help.

By now you must have an idea that how important it is to carry an automobile emergency kit in your car before stepping out of home. After all, your safety is in your hands. So, what are you waiting for? Just order for emergency car kit and enjoy a safe and peaceful journey.

What is in your first aid kit?  The Red Cross suggests keeping a first aid kit in your home and another in your car.  There are a lot of first aid kits available today.  You probable do not have to buy a first aid kit if you would rather make your own.  Here is my recommended list of items that should cover 90% of basic care.  You can also add items you feel are important.

Bandages & Medical Supplies:  Two 4 by 6 absorbent compression dressings, 30 adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, one large roll of cloth tape, an assortment of gause pads, and an assortment of roller bandages, 10 packets of antibotic ointment, 2 packets of hydrocortisone ointment for bee stings and rashes, and aspirin. 

Protective Gear: A breathing barrier with a one way valve and some latex gloves.

Additional Supplies:  a couple of space blankets, scissors, tweezer, a first aid book, an oral thermometer, and a list of emergency phone numbers.

Accidents can happen at any time to anybody, and the family that’s determined to be as safe as possible will acknowledge this possibility. If you want to make sure that your family has access to at least basic medical aid, make sure that you choose a first aid kit for your family. Sort through all the first aid kits at the store to ensure that you’re picking the one that’s right for your family. If you find that it’s lacking something, purchase the missing elements and make sure that they fit within the first aid kit. In this way, all the emergency medical supplies are together in one place.

The first thing to do with a first aid kit is make sure that everyone in the family knows exactly how to use all the elements within the kit. They aren’t of much use, after all, if no one can actually identify or use the products within it. The other important thing is that you check the kit every month to ensure it’s still fully stocked. Minor things like Band-Aids are sure to get used first, and a kit can quickly run out of these items.

Great suggestion on adding in the Ipecac for poisoning.  I am a EMT.  So you know I have more to add.  Besides the basics you could also add more Ace bandages, for sprains, etc…; antibotic ointment and/or Antiseptic wipes will be used on just about everything; a birting kit; a blanket blood presure unit burn gel, draws the heat out; burn ontiment; butterfly stiches; calamine lotion; eye dropper; eye wash kit; flashlight face mask; insect/snake bite kit; cold packs; heat packs; magnifing lens; smelling salt; sponge sterile pads; stethescope; tourniquet; tounge depressor, and a tweezer.    

Really I am more impressed just to see that people have a first aid kit in their homes and in their cars and then leave the more serious work to the professionals.  That really is the ideal situation. 

Below, is my well stocked first aid kit list and a copy of my first aid book.  You should choose a large plastic bin or a large fishing box works great too.  Please note that you should keep a list of emergency contacts in your first aid kit.  Also, check any medications and smoke detectors for expiration dates.  

Neosporin , Hydrogen Peroxide, Antiseptic Wipes, Alcohol Wipes, Soap, Tweezers, Fingernail Clipper, Small Scissors, Safety Pins, Sterile Gauze, Adhesive Tape, Bandages in several sizes, Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil for Children, Benadryl, Instant Cold Packs, Thermometer, Plastic non-latex Cloves, Flashlight, Solar and a Fleece Blanket, and of course a First Aid Manual.

In additon, to the normal items in your first aid kit, make sure your first aid kit contains Ipecac syrup to treat poisoning and/or keep numbers of the Poison Control Center, and other such numbers you may need. 

In addition, most people forget about burns and having some burn free spray or patches really helps.