Automobile Prep

Preparedness should extend to our automobiles as well as our home.  Our good friends and members of our ward recommended this page since they find themselves in their cars a lot of the time. For some people, they spend a lot of time either traveling or away at work. Chances are, they may have a significant need should an event occurs.

Another friend of ours recently did a presentation in their ward regarding this. This is something we felt should be included in the website, especially after taking to another good friend of ours who said she and her sister both spend a lot of time at work. We have always had some sort of box or bag in our vehicles. They are referred to in our family as "MacGyver Bags" - Janet is the one who came up with that name and it stuck.

So what should go into YOUR MacGyver Bag/ The list is as varied as there are people. Local weather conditions, distance from home and special needs are all things to take into account. Below are some general ideas that our friend Sandie shared with us. Of course we added a few of our own as well.

First Aid kit

Small amount of cash/change -about $10-$15(mostly quarters and ones)

Small pouch with Tools

Water

Food (preferably something that can withstand the heat on a hot day and ROTATE often)

General automotive accessories - Jack, spare tire (inflated), jumper cables, fire extinguisher, etc.

Blanket(s)

Here are a few things that our friend Sandie shared  - most of which can be found at a local Dollar Store.

1.  Matches, lighters

2.  Candles (get unscented)

3.  Band aids, first aid items

4.  Bottled water

5.  Bleach (get unscented)  use to clean, sanitize things. To purify water, 2 drops per qt of water

6.  Canned food, ramen noodles, pasta

7.  Batteries – good for bartering

8.  Medicine: ibuprofen, Pepto Bismol, etc.

9.  Wet wipes, also travel toothbrush and toothpaste

10.  Ziploc bags – can use to carry water, organize your kit, put soiled clothing in

The Provident Preppers did a YouTube video about preparing their children's cars and here's a couple of great suggestions that  came from that:

Safety vest - if you need to get out of your car at night, especially, you want to make sure other motorists see you.

A seat belt cutter and window/glass breaker - this is especially important if you or someone you are with has a seat belt that gets stuck. It usually is a device with a hooked knife on one end and a pointed metal piece on the other end. Breaking a window with safety glass is not easy but these things work really well. They are very inexpensive and worth keeping handy - just in case.

The Bottom Line - build it to meet YOUR requirements