According to AAA Americans spend an average of more than 293 hours per year in their cars. And that’s just an average – I have plenty of friends who commute long distances 5 days per week and spend a lot more time in their vehicles than that! When the last big earthquake hit Seattle in 2001 by husband was in his car more than 1 hour from home, driving to a business meeting. Thankfully that earthquake was "only" magnitude 6.8 on the Richter scale, and the roads and bridges continued to function afterwards. But what if it had been an 8.0 or 9.0 earthquake? My husband would definitely have been unable to get back home for a while – and there’s a fairly decent chance he would have had to camp out in the car. The same sort of thing could occur due to flooding, icy roads, a blizzard, road closures after a big accident, wildfires, and more.
YOUR CAR NEEDS TO BE PREPARED
I don’t know about you, but I love my vehicle. It has comfy seats, it’s got good preset radio stations, it’s fun to drive and it’s like a little bit of home on the road. My car (mostly the trunk) is also stocked with a bunch of stuff that helps me feel like I could be OK if I was unable to get home and had to make my car a temporary base of operations.
YOUR CAR NEEDS TO BE PREPARED
I don’t know about you, but I love my vehicle. It has comfy seats, it’s got good preset radio stations, it’s fun to drive and it’s like a little bit of home on the road. My car (mostly the trunk) is also stocked with a bunch of stuff that helps me feel like I could be OK if I was unable to get home and had to make my car a temporary base of operations.
WHAT’S IN YOUR TRUNK?
Unless you’re on a family road trip or your kids all play lacrosse, I’m guessing your trunk contains random stuff that you’ve been meaning to deal with, or is sort of/kind of empty. Mine, on the other hand, is about half full of emergency supplies and I’m so happy that it is!
FOOD
FLASHLIGHT
Unless you’re on a family road trip or your kids all play lacrosse, I’m guessing your trunk contains random stuff that you’ve been meaning to deal with, or is sort of/kind of empty. Mine, on the other hand, is about half full of emergency supplies and I’m so happy that it is!
FOOD
- Whatever’s in the 3-day pack (see below)
- Options: granola or protein bars, nuts, jerky, dried fruit, instant oatmeal, canned soup, dehydrated food (if your go-bag contains a heat source).
- Water filter (I love the GRAYL water purifier bottle - it's awesome.)
- At least carry a 12-pack of bottled water. I have a 3.5 gallon water cube that’s been treated so the water is safe to drink for 4+ years.
FLASHLIGHT
- Handheld and/or head lamp
3-DAY GO-BAG
FIRST AID KIT
See this page for a list of recommended medical supplies
- See this page for recommended 3-day emergency pack contents
FIRST AID KIT
See this page for a list of recommended medical supplies
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
- Should be a multipurpose type fire extinguisher that could put out fuel fires, ie – fire possible from a vehicle fire
CAR-RELATED STUFF
- Spare tire
- Tire jack
- Tire iron
- Jumper cables
- Tire inflater and sealer (like Fix-a-Flat)
- Emergency battery booster
- Small shovel
- Tire chains if your area is prone to snow
- AAA membership
- Flares
- An empty 2.5 gallon gasoline jug
THINGS TO KEEP IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT:
- Paper maps (What if your battery dies and you have to walk?)
- Scraper for ice on windshield/windows
- Seatbelt cutter & window breaker
WARM CLOTHING
MONEY
What if you can’t find an ATM or one is not working?
MISCELLANEOUS
- Shoes you can actually walk in
- Change of clothing
- Fleece blanket or sleeping bag
MONEY
What if you can’t find an ATM or one is not working?
- Keep your just-in-case cash somewhere easy to remember but not too obvious (in your car manual, under the spare tire, in a magnetic box under your seat)
MISCELLANEOUS
- Umbrella
- Baby wipes (useful for so many things: cleaning hands, cleaning a coffee or other spill, a quick “sponge” bath, cleaning your windows, really cleaning the whole car!)
- USB Mobile device charger
- Playing cards
- A leash for the dog (mine likes to ride along. If I need to get out and walk he needs to be on a leash, though!)