Ten Emergency Kit Essentials for a Safer Road Trip
No matter how much attention you lavish on your vehicle, there is a good chance something could go wrong out on the road. To avoid major headaches when unforeseen mishaps do occur, Hagerty suggests 10 important items that smart drivers shouldn’t leave home without.
- Tool Kit – Include flat and Phillips-head screwdrivers, channel lock pliers, an adjustable wrench and a good-quality lug wrench.
- Spare Tire – Check tire pressure and tread wear on all tires, including the spare. Keep a quality tire gauge and jack in your vehicle at all times.
- Flashlight – Necessary for nighttime emergencies. Make sure to check batteries periodically.
- Cell Phone – Check the battery life and bring the phone’s adaptable charger.
- Fire Extinguisher – Essential protection for your family and your car, buy an ABC-rated, UL-listed model, such as a common 2A:10BC extinguisher.
- Jumper Cables/Fuses/Bulbs – These items can solve many issues like a dead battery, blown headlight fuse or taillight bulb.
- First-Aid Kit – One from the store or general pharmacy should do just fine. You can add items according to your family’s needs.
- Blanket, Food and Water – Water not only keeps you hydrated, but it’s essential for an overheated engine. A blanket and food will help if you’re stranded for a lengthy time period.
- Spare Fluids – Two quarts of oil and some coolant will do. You may want to bring along an empty gasoline container, just in case you run out of gas on the road.
- Flares/Caution Signs – It’s always safer to ignite flares for evening and nighttime breakdowns.
“This is a standard list that every driver should consider,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “Travelers will want to customize their emergency kits based on specific problems to which their vehicle might be more susceptible, as well as the length and location of their trip, and the season of the year. Certainly wire cutters, duct tape, extra fan belts, hoses and hose clamps are also great items to have at hand.”
Hagerty is the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles and boats in the nation and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers collector car insurance, financing and roadside assistance, as well as a variety of useful information resources. The company works proactively on hobby legislation and supports the Collectors Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation of the hobby. For more information, call 877-922-9701 or visit www.hagerty.com.
