Survival Street

Lorrie Streeter

Car Emergency Preparedness When the Going Gets Tough!

If you own a vehicle, as most of us do these days, it is important to keep an emergency survival kit in it at all times. It should be kept someplace where it can be easily accessed (perhaps under the front passenger seat). Since you are usually located within close proximity of your vehicle, you can easily gain immediate access to your emergency supplies in a disaster situation.

Many types of disasters can strike while you are in your car - snow or ice storms in winter, floods in spring, and hurricanes, tornados or lightning storms in summer and fall. Your survival will depend on how well you have prepared ahead.

Just like a home emergency survival kit, every car emergency kit should contain the basics - water, food, shelter, warmth and first aid for one person (or family) to survive for 72 hours.  Basic tools for car repair and maintenance should also be included. When you create your emergency car kit, you can personalize it to your own needs. You may need to add an extra pair of glasses, baby or pet items or prescription medications.

Your car survival kit should be in a backpack or bag small enough to fit in your car.  It should include:
• Food (granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, etc. – avoid items that will melt or spoil quickly) and water for 72 hours – keep all items well sealed
• Blankets (wool is best but if it is too itchy try a solar blanket) or a down sleeping bag
• Hat (most heat is lost through the head), scarf, mittens (best) or gloves, boots (extra clothing}
• First-aid kit – including personal medications
• AM/FM radio and extra batteries or hand crank type (no batteries required)
• Candles and waterproof matches or a lighter
• Flashlight and spare batteries or hand crank type
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper
• Soap and/or hand sanitizer
• Pet supplies and proper documentation (license, immunization records)
• Antifreeze to keep the gas from freezing - can also be used in place of windshield wiper fluid 
• Axe or hatchet (a hammer might also be useful)
• Compass and maps
• Type ABC fire extinguisher 
• Ice scraper, shovel, brush
• Booster or jumper cables, tow chain, traction mats
• Basic car repair kit
• Sand or salt for tire traction – kitty litter also works well
• Duct tape and knife or multi-purpose tool
• Warning lights, road flares or a strip of red cloth to tie on to the car antenna
• Cell phone
• Whistle
• Playing cards, books, games or other items that do not require batteries

You may want to add a few items to be used in case of an accident. Some extra items may include a disposable camera, and a pad of paper and pencil or pen to record the scene and any witness information.

Some personal items might also come in handy.  You might want to consider the following:
• Blush, lipstick and mascara
• Razor and shaving cream
• Sanitary knapkins and/or tampons
• Hairbrush or comb

These items are not necessarily essential to your survival but they can go a long way to improving your emotional balance thus helping you to cope with a little more optimism.  Let's face it.  The better you feel the more likely you will be able to deal with the situation.

Although it can seem like a daunting task to put a survival kit together, it can actually be a very easy and interesting project. The greatest challenge can be organizing your kit with the least amount of layout of cash.  Start by looking around your home for those items you already have.  Add a few items each week if you need to buy things.  Food and water are the most important items, followed by a blanket or sleeping bag for keeping warm.  If you are not interested in organizing your own kit, you can purchase one already made and just add any extra items you want included in your pack.

One important tip: Remember to always let someone know what time you left and what time you expect to arrive at your destination. By taking these precautions, you can prepare your family for an emergency and feel more confident as you travel.

Be Prepared – Before Disaster Strikes!

Emergency Survival - Myth vs. Reality

It is a common misconception that when faced with an emergency situation, the adrenalin will take over and you will automatically know what to do. A nice thought, but very often not true.  Even though the adrenalin does start to flow, it is more likely to create panic.  It is much better to KNOW what to do in an emergency situation due to planning, preparation and practice. Some things that may seem obvious to us when clear headed may not occur if the situation is dire.

Myth: Stand under a door frame as protection against falling debris.
Reality: Go to the side or corner of a basement or an interior first-floor room opposite the tornado's direction of approach, or a storm cellar if available.

Myth: It is safer to be under an overpass.
Reality: The overpass causes a tunnel effect which increases wind. There is also the danger of it collapsing.

Myth: It is safe to come out during the eye of the storm.
Reality: Stay in your safe place during the eye of the storm as it can pass very quickly, catching you unawares.

Myth: It is best to stay in your mobile home during a storm.
Reality: If it is a violent storm, seek shelter in a more secure building. If you cannot do so, go outside and lie down in a ditch or depression away from the mobile home and any vehicles.

Myth: Animals have a natural preservation instinct and can fend for themselves in an emergency.
Reality: Most pets have not really learned to fend for themselves.  Although it is important to save your family first, your pet's safety should be considered also. Most pets that get left behind do not survive.

Myth: Farm animals should be kept safely locked inside a building during a violent storm.
Reality: It may be better to leave livestock unsheltered so they are not stranded if the building collapses.

Myth: It is ok to leave your safe spot after the initial quake is over.
Reality: Stay in your spot until the shaking is completely over, including aftershocks.

Myth: Use the elevator to more quickly exit the building during an emergency.
Reality: Use the stairs. The elevator is likely to stop working trapping you inside.

Myth: If outside take shelter near a larger object for protection.
Reality: Stay away from buildings, trees, power lines, etc., Crouch down, cover your head and close your eyes.

Myth: If a pot catches on fire, quickly put it under running water.
Reality: Do not attempt to move the pot. Put a lid on it and turn off the stove.

Myth: If clothes catch fire immediately get under running water such as a shower.
Reality: STOP, DROP AND ROLL to smother the flames. Running to the nearest shower will cause the flames to spread.

Myth: If a fire starts in your home, immediately call the fire department.
Reality: Get out and stay out. Call the fire department from outside.

Myth: In an organized camping area the wild life are used to humans and therefore friendly.
Reality: It is never safe to approach or feed wildlife. Use a flashlight at night to warn them away.

Myth: When encountering a wild animal leave as quickly as possible.
Reality: Stay calm and slowly move away; no sudden moves.

Myth: Bury garbage to prevent wild animals from invading your campsite.
Reality: Animals have a much better sense of smell than humans. Keep your campsite clean and put all garbage in animal-proof containers.
 
Myth: Keeping a fire going at night will discourage unwanted animals from entering your campsite.
Reality: Although this may be true, you are likely to burn your campsite to the ground. Extinguish all campfires (and lanterns) before going to sleep.

Myth: You are safe from too much sun during a cloudy day.
Reality: Bring sunscreen and sun glasses no matter what the weather. It is easy to get burned and strain your eyes even in cloudy weather.

Be Prepared – Before Disaster Strikes!

Winter Emergency Preparedness - Heres Comes Suzy Snowflake!

• Previous Posts:

• Car Emergency Preparedness When the Going Gets Tough!
• Emergency Survival - Myth vs. Reality
• Winter Emergency Preparedness - Heres Comes Suzy Snowflake!
• Tornado Emergency Preparedness - You're Not in Kansas Anymore!
• Hurricane Emergency Preparedness - Time to Come in Out of the Rain!
• Flood Emergency Preparedness - When Water Goes Over the Bridge!
• Emergency Preparedness - A Plan of Action!
• Camping Safety Preparedness – Life in the Great Outdoors!

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