Going for a road trip: Here is what should be in your Emergency Road Kit

A road trip is an annual pilgrimage for a lot of Australian families. Our beautiful big country is open to exploring by car which in turn leaves you open to being stranded in an area miles from anywhere.

A road trip is an annual pilgrimage for a lot of Australian families. Our beautiful big country is open to exploring by car which in turn leaves you open to being stranded in an area miles from anywhere. Even when you get your car service done regularly, breakdowns can occur at anytime. While rescue services are available 24/7 these days, they may take a while to reach you especially if you are travelling in remote places. For coping with this situation, all of us at Car Servicing and You recommend you to carry an emergency road kit.

Of course the first thing to do is to have your car checked before going for any long trip but never neglect preparing an emergency roadside kit.  Here are the “Car Servicing and You” must haves:

1. Flashlight and Extra Batteries– One of the most critical item in an emergency road kit.  Especially relevant if your car breaks down in the middle of the night, and you are stuck in the middle of a lonely, dark highway. Make sure that your light source is waterproof and don’t forget to carry extra batteries.
2. Warning Lights/Road Flares/Warning Triangles– If you are stranded on the side of a road at night, you and your vehicle might be invisible to other drivers or passers-by. Therefore, it is important to be seen and be safe with one of these warning signs. At “Car Servicing and You”, we recommend: Three reflective warning triangles as opposed to ready-to-use emergency kits that contain only one warning triangle.
3. First-Aid Kit– A kit inside a kit, a well-stocked First-Aid Kit is the most important item that should not be missed in emergency road kits. Injuries can happen on a long trip, drivers should always carry them and be prepared to use them if required.  A first-aid kit should be applicable to variety of injuries, and should include (but not restricted to) adhesive tape, gauze pads, aspirin, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream or ointment, and anything particular to you or your family.
4. Charged mobile phone and Emergency phone numbers on a laminated card– A dead mobile phone is pretty annoying, even more in course of an emergency—Make sure at least one mobile phone is properly charged at any instant of time (keep one mobile phone always plugged in). If your car battery dies you have no way to recharge your phone—and you are not left any number (all number s were in dead mobile phone) to call from a public booth in case of emergencies. Don’t let this happen, carry all of your important numbers on a piece of paper make sure it’s laminated to avoid fading.
5. Fire Extinguisher. Any Class B and Class C fires by the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA would work. Look for instructions like the Class B fires are for fires related to combustible liquids, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene, while Class C works for electrical equipment such as switches, panel boxes and batteries.
6. No-Cook Foods and Water Spare food and water are essential to long distance travel. Carry food items that are ready to eat, high energy and don’t require refrigeration. Try tinned tuna, dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter, and dried biscuits. Water is essential during emergencies and pretty difficult to find on barren stretches especially around national parks. In panic mode, it is hard to find water when it’s most required.
7. A Basic set of hand tools – Even if you can’t use them, you may come across someone who can. Obviously always ensure you have a jack and wheel brace suitable for your car so a tyre can be changed. Carry a basic spanner and socket set as well as pliers and screwdrivers. Spare belts and hoses are also a good idea if you are travelling to very remote places. If you are venturing off road then epoxy putty suitable for steel repairs can be very handy if you damage a fuel tank.

 Conclusion:

Keeping a roadside emergency kit in your car will arm you with both peace of mind, and the tools you’ll need to rescue yourself in the event of an emergency during your travels.