The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Kristin at The Gold Project.
A couple of weeks ago, I shared my first car kit with y’all: my car hygiene kit. Today, I am sharing the other one, which I call my emergency kit. And, when I say emergency, I am not only referring to having an accident. I am also referring to personal emergencies.
You might be wondering what a “personal emergency” would be…
Well, anything is possible with kiddos, especially if you have one that gets extremely car sick on long (sometimes, not so long) travels. So, we have learned to prepare for those “emergencies.” Plus, emergencies dealing with rain, scrapes, chilly temps, and accidents are always possible as well.
Side note: Keep in mind that every family is different, so my type of “personal emergency” may not be anything like yours.
For my car emergency kit, I included the following items:
- crate
- bucket
- blankets (2): a blanket per child
- towel
- change of clothes for kids
- jumper cables
- umbrella
- notepad
- pen
- trashbags (2)
- small Wal-Mart type of bags (2)
- large Ziplock-type of bags (3): for first aid kit and clothes
- first aid kit (gauze, bandaids, and triple antibiotic ointment)
- tissue
- surgical scissors
- flashlight
This was also a nice opportunity to get the back of my car cleaned out. I have learned that kids and vehicles do not mix well. It is virtually impossible to have a clean car all the time with kids riding in it.
The Before
The contents of my emergency car kit:
I do not have a lot of supplies in my first aid kit. I need to do some research on medication sitting in a vehicle for an extended amount of time. I am not sure if rubbing alcohol, peroxide, etc. need to be subject to high temps. Remember, I live in the south.
The After
What else would you include in a car emergency kit?
My name is Kristin and I am a middle school career education teacher by day and a mommy/wife/blogger by night. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have two loving children. We recently made a life-changing move to Arkansas, so our new house is always under construction. I get excitement out of finding new creative, functional, and cute ways to organize things! I also enjoy writing and documenting life as it happens. So, I put these loves together and created The Gold Project. With the help of my husband, I am attempting to turn our house into a home. So, check out this special place of mine and take this journey with me!
Maggie says
I keep a fist aid kit in the front of the car (including face mask, just in case) and during the winter I keep a winter emergency kit in the back. This box has a sleeping bag, blanket, sweater, jacket, hats, gloves, shoes, and extra socks. Just in case I get caught in a storm that leaves me stranded. Thankfully I’ve never had to use any of my emergency supplies!
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Great list of items! 🙂
Trina Lea Grant says
I love DIY kits! I made a first aid kit for an informative speech in my college Speech class last semester. In doing research for my project, I was stunned to find how much they cost. I was able to put together a rather nifty kit in a semi-humorous presentation, and my speech was one of the most popular in class.
This post goes along with the same idea, and it is dear to my heart! Thank you for sharing your kit with us. Since many modern families practically live out of the car/rolling office, these items are essential to staying organized, clean, and comfortable in dire or surprise situations.
Another informative, thought-provoking post. Kudos.
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Thank you so much for the sweet comment!!! 😉
Kristie says
I have redone mine recent with a bag I found at Costco. I also have hand warmers and foil blankets. Matches and fire starter pack. Container of wet wipes, small bottled water, granola bars, individual wrapped hard candy, lighter and candle (crack the window a little) extra flashlight batteries, paper towels and don’t forget TOILET paper!!!! My flashlight also has a red light for a warning/caution light.
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Great list! Toilet paper is a good idea. I guess I was trying to attempt that with the Kleenex. LOL!!! I was going to add matches and a lighter, but I was not sure how those do if they are exposed to high heat. It gets pretty hot here in Arkansas in the summer.
Now, I need one of those flashlights.
Cathy says
Yes! TP is a must! We did a lot of traveling out at the National Parks out west one summer, and while most of them have outhouses/port-a-potties, we were lucky enough to find the majority of them out of TP at the time we stopped. Also make sure you check batteries occasionally. I’ve had them explode in things that weren’t used for a long time (lost a camera and a walkie talkie) 🙁
rap says
I’ve been keeping mine in a back pack. I have tons old ones from the kids. Its easy to move around and doesn’t spill
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Good idea with the backpack. 🙂
Whitney @ Come Home For Comfort says
You have inspired me! I don’t have kids, but my trunk is a jumper cable/ reusable shopping bag/random mess! I’m getting a bin this weekend to organize my trunk. Thanks!
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Yay!!! So glad I could help. 🙂
Janette says
I totally agree with you, I was a personal trainer for sometime and started my business as a personal organizer a few months back. I love how you put both together! Great post!
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Thank you so much!!! 😉
Marei says
Hey, great list!
The smaller the children are, the more sense it might make to also take a change of clothes for mommy into the mix (at least a shirt or something).
We have recently added a stocked diaper bag to our trunk that doubles as a seat booster, has come in handy quite a few times 🙂 Holds all the kid stuff you list, can easily be taken along at your destination and we’ve also used it a few times when visiting friends on occasions where they had many kiddos over for dinner and not as many high chairs. More useful than I would have thought when we first got it…
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
The stocked diaper bag is a good idea. Everytime we go somewhere, we carry a diaper bag too. I am so terrified of getting somewhere and not having a diaper or wipe.
And, I never thought about clothes for me, but that is an excellent idea. 🙂
Thanks for you info.
Lauren @TheOrganizedPantry.org says
I love the milk crate idea! Great inspiration I plan to use today… thanks for such a thorough post.
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
I am so glad you liked it. 🙂
MonW says
~ pencil and paper pad(ink freezes and dries up) for accidents.
~Keep in mind that jumper cables come in different wire sizes(gauges) and the heavier duty sets are noticeably pricier. So, the bigger your vehicle, the pricier your cables should be.
“#2-gauge jumper cables. Small number = bigger size wire able to handle larger vehicles. Cables also come in different materials: copper$$$, Copper+aluminum$$, and aluminum$. Also, plastic handles on grippers are better than bare metal + your hand.”**
We added
~a towel- old or $ store/thrifted/whatever for laying/sitting on dirty/muddy ground
~a folding shovel*- digging out of snow or mud
~folding triangles** truckers use these too.
~snow blade and brush- never ever drive with snow or ice clinging to your vehicle- chunks can fly off and hit other vehicles, or worse.
~ ice scraper**- the sturdy one, not the super cheap one.
~LED strobe** choose the relevant color for your local and national laws (usually yellow or orange in US).
~a pair of work gloves to fit the driver
~ headlamp or magnetic flashlight/ hooked light for looking under hood, etc.
~Basic compact tool set of the relevant screw drivers, a small hammer, adjustable wrench, pliers, etc.
~enough of the emergency folded blankets for every seat in the vehicle
~medical kit*- pay special attention to the storage conditions on medications, salves, etc. usually 50F-70F and cars are rarely at that temperature in the South, summer or winter. You can DIY, or ask the camping store folks.
This includes sunscreen.
~tire gauge** heat and cold kill batteries, so have the backup old manual version with the new-fangled digital.
* camping stores.
** Automotive stores or the internet
Yes, our kit takes up lots of space, but some does hide in with the spare tire.
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
Now that is an awesome and detailed kit. I can’t believe I forgot the tire gauge. I actually have it in my console too. 🙂
MonW says
🙂 You learn a few things after being caught in a blizzard in a state that usually doesn’t see blizzards in that spot…lots and lots of hours to cover 30 miles.
I combined items from many lists to create mine.
Hubby adds radiator fluid, pre-mixed if needed, for summer and winter(different formulas).
Paper accordion maps are another good thing in case you have no GPS, or it has no signal (frequently) or no power. Store them in an office store’s check accordion file. They fit perfectly and the tabs sort by city, state or whatever. I have 2 files: home state maps plus city maps; and the rest of the states- surrounding states of my own state plus any states we have family in.