If you are based in a country where the winter climate is inhospitable, a breakdown in the wrong place and at the wrong time can have tragic consequences.
The old maxim, "Be Prepared" may one day save your life and those of your passengers, so we have prepared a list of emergency supplies that you should consider having stowed in your trunk (boot for our English friends!).....just in case.
One or two blankets
Gloves
A flashlight (torch) with good batteries
(Consider one of those where there is a built-in handle that enables you to generate power. No batteries to go flat.)
Spare fuses
Ice scraper
Pocket Knife
First-aid kit
A tool kit with pliers
Screwdrivers
Adjustable wrench (spanner)
Insulation Tape
Wire
Rags
Jumper cables
Tow rope
Small powder fire extinguisher
Sandpaper or steel wool (to clean battery terminals)
Extra engine oil
Small Shovel
Small bag of sand
A "Send Help" sign
A couple of candles/Matches/Bars of Chocolate
Suitable allweather coat
You might think this is rather a lot to carry, but the best way to approach this is to buy one of those flexible nylon sports bags and put everything in there.
If an emergency arises, you know that everything you need is in one place, and you don't have to spend time searching in the back of the car or the glove compartment to assemble all the items.
Of course, if you have your cellphone with you you might be lucky, but if the roads are impassable you will still have to protect yourself until assistance arrives.
Hopefully, if you have taken the preventative maintenance steps described elsewhere on this web site, your car will not let you down.....but you never know!
Have you ever been caught in an emergency situation and were thankful that you had a kit on board? Tell us YOUR story, and we will post it on this website to let others know what happened! What went right, and what went wrong?
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