Winter is quickly approaching and that means crazy Wisconsin weather. Snow and ice can turn even a short trip to the store disastrous if you aren’t prepared. With items to keep you warm, help you get your car back on the road, and much more, a roadside kit has the potential to be lifesaving. Even a kit for warm weather months should be packed and kept in your vehicle. If adequately prepared, you can be ready for anything with your roadside emergency kit.
First-Aid Kit
No. 1 on your list should be a properly stocked first-aid kit. It should be complete with bandages, gauze, tape, pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and latex gloves. You can also keep scissors, tweezers, instant cold compresses, and ointments such as a triple antibiotic ointment and hydrocortisone. These will be useful for any minor scrapes. Swapping out supplies when they expire will ensure that everything works if you need to use it.
Breakdown Equipment
It would be best if you also kept your vehicle stashed with supplies you may need in case of a breakdown, dead battery, or flat tire. Some things you should include would be heavy-duty jumper cables in case you find yourself with a dead battery. If possible, you could even have a battery charger if this happens on a road that isn’t commonly traveled.
You should also include a fuse kit, a tow strap, and a tire iron to remove a flat tire. Make sure you have a properly inflated spare tire in case you should need to change yours. Other ideas for you to include are some extra motor oil, windshield washer fluid, and windshield wipers.
Comfort Items
As we all know, winters here in Wisconsin can get cold quickly. It’s a good idea to keep some comfort items in your car if you have to wait for roadside assistance. You can keep one or two blankets inside, hand warmers, and some gloves and hats. You can also add items such as lip balm, feminine hygiene products, and extra prescription glasses or contact lenses. In the summer, you could pack sunscreen, bug spray, and possibly a poncho to use if you end up caught in the rain.
Keeping a small stash of some food items can help keep the amount of stress during a breakdown at bay. You should also keep some extra water or some rehydration drinks, a minimum of two per person, and high-protein snacks such as beef jerky, nuts, or granola bars.
Bonus Items
There are a few other items that you can pack in your roadside emergency kit that aren’t necessities but may help make the experience a little easier. Keep a backpack inside in case you need to pack some supplies up. Other ideas include toilet paper, wet wipes, and a toothbrush. Road flares can help alert people of your location. Finally, Fix-A-Flat is a short term solution to a flat tire you could also include.
We hope these suggestions for what to keep in your roadside emergency kit help you decide how to pack yours. If you have any tips, tricks, or other ideas, reach out to us here at Pischke Motors Nissan.
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