Sunday, June 22, 2008

Emergency Items to Take on the Road

Family Vacation Help

Nobody ever expects to be in an accident or to be stranded in his or her car somewhere, but it happens. So be prepared by carrying all the necessary emergency items in your car.

In case of an accident, these items are important:

  • Disposable camera (to take photos of the vehicles and the scene)
  • Can of motor oil
  • Cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk
  • Empty gas can
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight with spare batteries
  • Fuses
  • Insurance: insurance card, phone number of agent, 1-800 number of company
  • Jack for tires
  • Jumper cables
  • Paper
  • Pen or pencil
  • Portable radio with spare batteries
  • Reflective vest
  • Sealant for small leaks in tires
  • Spare tire (be sure to have it checked each time you have your tires rotated)
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Tool box with screwdrivers, wrenches and a small hammer
  • Window scraper for ice
  • Car Documentation
  • Car owner's manual
  • Car registration

Items you should have in your first aid kit:

  • Activated Charcoal (for poisoning emergencies)
  • Adhesive strip bandages - assorted sizes
  • Adhesive tape
  • Alcohol - rubbing 70%
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Antacid
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Baking soda
  • Calamine lotion
  • Chemical ice packs
  • Chemical hot packs
  • Cotton balls
  • Cotton swabs
  • Decongestant tablets & spray
  • Diarrhea medication
  • Disposable latex or vinyl gloves
  • Elastic bandages
  • Facemask for CPR
  • First aid guide
  • Gauze pads - various sizes
  • Hot-water bottle
  • Household ammonia
  • Hydrocortisone cream .5%
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Hypoallergenic tape
  • Insect repellent
  • Insect sting swabs
  • Matches
  • Meat tenderizer (for insect bites)
  • Moleskin
  • Needles
  • Non-adhering dressings
  • Oil of Cloves
  • Over-the-counter pain medication
  • Paper drinking cups
  • Roller gauze - self adhering
  • Safety pins
  • Salt
  • Scissors
  • Soap
  • Space blanket
  • Sam splint
  • Sugar or glucose solution
  • Syrup of Ipecac
  • Thermometer - oral & rectal
  • Tongue blades
  • Triangular bandages
  • Tweezers
  • Waterproof tape

Items to take for you and your family if you become stranded:

  • Blankets
  • Bottled water
  • Card with information about family medical allergies or conditions and emergency phone numbers of family and friends
  • Cellular phone
  • List of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies
  • Pre-moistened towelettes
  • Road atlas, maps
  • Snack food

If you are transporting children place a bright sticker on the child's car seat with:

  • Child's name
  • Parents' or guardians' names
  • Best phone number of parent or guardian
  • Two names/best phone numbers of local friends/relatives in case neither parent is able to care for the child
  • List "Medical Must Knows":
  • Any allergies the child may have, especially to medication
  • Any medical conditions the child may have or have had in the past (such as diabetes, asthma etc.)
  • Insurance information if applicable
  • For a young baby, type of formula (if formula fed)
  • Name and phone number of child's pediatrician
  • Anything else you would like medical personnel to know about your child (fears she may have, favorite song that may help calm her, anything you can think of that would be helpful)

Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, affordable quotes and helpful car insurance advice at http://www.AutoInsuranceRatesDirect.com today.

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