Having the Right Equipment in Your Car in Emergency Situations
**A guest post as written by Rachel Elders.
We never think that we are going to encounter any kind of issues behind the wheel of a car, but often you hear horror stories of motorists breaking down and becoming stranded. Whilst you can usually get t roadside assistance to come out and find you, sometimes you can be left alone on the side of the road for lengthy periods. Needless to say, this can be very dangerous and scary – this is especially true at night and/or if you are in the middle of nowhere.
Being Prepared
To ensure that you do not have your own horror story, it is worth purchasing a few pieces of equipment for these scenarios. These pieces of equipment could allow you to get back behind the wheel in no time at all, or at least to make it comfortably until you are rescued. Here are a few things that you should always have in the car with you:
Flashlight
A flashlight is essential as this allows you to see even when the sun goes down. Not only is this very important for safety at night, but it can also be helpful if you are working on the car and need to see clearly. You can also use a torch to flag down another car at night.
First-Aid Kit
If you get into an accident you may require first-aid. Instead of waiting for somebody to come to you, have a fully stocked first-aid kit in the boot so that you can patch yourself up until help arrives.
Food, Water & Blanket
An obvious one, food and water ensures that you will not go thirsty or hungry if you are abandoned for lengthy periods. A blanket will help you to keep warm once the sun goes down.
Portable Battery
A portable battery will allow you to charge your phone and call for help. This could be a life saver if you were to run out of charge.
Hydraulic Cylinder
You can use a hydraulic cylinder to jack a car and this could come in very handy if you need to work on the vehicle or change a tire. These are available from places like SGS.
Jumper Cables
Batteries dying is one of the major reasons that people are stranded on the side of the road. Be prepared by carrying jumper cables around with you and know how to use them.
These are the main things that every motorist should keep in their car. Being stranded on the side of the road can be incredibly dangerous and scary, but with the above, it could help you to get back on the road or stay safe and content until somebody saves you.