30 EASY PREPAREDNESS IDEAS — DAY 10

Check Your Car Emergency Kit

We made it to Day 10!

For the last nine days, we've been doing one little preparedness task at a time.

Today, we're heading outside.

Grab your keys—we're checking the CAR! 

Think about how much time you spend away from home.

Driving to work. Taking the kids to school. Going to appointments. Running errands. Taking road trips.

An emergency doesn't necessarily happen while we're sitting comfortably at home surrounded by all our supplies.

Sometimes, what you have in your vehicle is what you have.

So today's challenge is simple:

FIND YOUR CAR EMERGENCY KIT

Already have one?

Great! Pull it out and check it.

Don't have one?

That's okay. Today is the day to start.

You don't have to build the perfect kit all at once. Grab a backpack, tote, small container or whatever you already have and start with a few basics.

Remember our rule:

SMALL. USEFUL. PRACTICAL.

WHAT SHOULD YOU CHECK?

Every family's needs—and every vehicle—will be a little different, but here are some basics to consider.

WATER

Keep some emergency drinking water available.

But remember: vehicles experience extreme temperatures.

Check containers regularly for leaks, damage or other deterioration, and follow the storage recommendations for the water and container you're using.

And don't forget water for your pets if they regularly travel with you. 

SNACKS

Remember our Day 6 Grab-N-Go Snack Kit?

The same idea works in your vehicle.

Choose shelf-stable foods your family actually eats and that are appropriate for the storage conditions they'll experience.

Think:

• Nuts or trail mix
• Jerky
• Dried or freeze-dried fruit
• Crackers
• A familiar snack or treat

Just remember that cars get HOT.

Some foods don't handle vehicle temperatures very well, so inspect and rotate your snacks regularly.

Mimi's Tip: Your car emergency food isn't a time capsule!

Check it. Rotate it. Eat it. Replace it.

FLASHLIGHT

Do you have a flashlight in your vehicle?

More importantly...

DOES IT WORK? 

Check the batteries or charge your rechargeable light.

A headlamp can be especially useful because it leaves both hands free.

And remember Day 7—a charged power bank and the correct phone cable can be incredibly useful away from home too.

WARMTH & WEATHER

What would you need if you had to wait in your vehicle for a while?

Depending on where you live and the season, consider:

• Jacket or sweatshirt
• Extra socks
• Gloves
• Warm hat
• Sun protection
• Rain protection
• Emergency blanket or regular blanket

Your car kit shouldn't stay exactly the same all year.

CHANGE IT WITH THE SEASONS!

A summer car kit in Arizona probably shouldn't look exactly like a winter car kit in Montana.

Think about YOUR weather and YOUR normal travel.

When the seasons change, take a few minutes to update the kit.

FIRST-AID SUPPLIES

Keep basic first-aid supplies accessible.

If you already have a first-aid kit, open it today.

Is anything missing?

Has anything been used?

Is anything damaged?

Has heat affected any of the contents?

Don't assume a kit is complete just because the zipper is closed.

We'll give our first-aid supplies an even closer look on Day 11.

PHONE POWER

Our phones have become important emergency tools.

They can help us:

• Call for help
• Navigate
• Receive emergency alerts
• Contact family
• Share location when appropriate
• Provide temporary light

Consider keeping a dedicated charging cable in the vehicle so you aren't constantly borrowing the one from your house.

A charged portable power bank can provide another layer of backup.

VEHICLE EMERGENCY ITEMS

Depending on your vehicle, driving conditions and comfort level, you may also consider keeping:

• Reflective warning triangles or other visibility gear
• Reflective vest
• Basic vehicle tools appropriate for your car
• Tire-pressure gauge
• Appropriate vehicle battery/jump-start equipment
• Work gloves
• Paper towels or cleanup supplies

Know how to safely use the equipment you carry.

A tool you don't understand isn't nearly as useful during a stressful situation.

DON'T FORGET SHOES!

Remember Day 1? 30 Days of Easy Preparedness - Day 1: Shoes & Flashlights at the Bedside - PackFreshUSA

We put sturdy slip-on shoes next to the bed.

Now think about your car.

If you regularly drive wearing sandals, dress shoes or other footwear that wouldn't be great for walking a distance, consider keeping a comfortable pair of sturdy shoes and socks in your vehicle.

You never know when a short drive could turn into a long walk.

DOES YOUR PET RIDE WITH YOU?

We just checked our Pet Grab-N-Go Bags on Day 8.

If your dog or other pet regularly rides in your vehicle, consider what they would need if you couldn't immediately get home.

• Leash
• Water
• Collapsible bowl
• A little food or treats
• Waste bags

You don't necessarily need to duplicate your entire Pet Grab-N-Go Bag.

Just think:

“If we were stuck here for a few hours, what would my pet need?”

THINK ABOUT WHO RIDES IN YOUR CAR

This is where preparedness becomes personal.

Do you regularly travel with:

• A baby?
• Children?
• An older adult?
• A pet?
• Someone with specific needs?

Your vehicle emergency kit should reflect the people who actually ride with you.

Maybe that means diapers.

Maybe it's an extra pair of reading glasses.

Maybe it's feminine hygiene supplies.

Maybe it's a comfort item for a child.

Maybe it's something completely different.

Build YOUR kit—not somebody else's internet checklist.

MIMI'S 6-MONTH RULE

We've found another preparedness item to add to our regular check!

Twice a year, pull out the car emergency kit.

☐ Rotate food
☐ Check water
☐ Charge power banks
☐ Test flashlights
☐ Check batteries
☐ Review first-aid supplies
☐ Change seasonal clothing
☐ Check pet supplies
☐ Replace anything used or damaged

Remember our Batteries, Snacks & Power Day?

We're building a routine!

The goal isn't to prepare once and forget about it.

The goal is to make preparedness part of normal life.

TODAY'S EASY PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

Go to your vehicle and spend 10 minutes checking what you already have.

☐ Water
☐ Snacks
☐ Flashlight
☐ Phone charger
☐ Backup power
☐ First-aid supplies
☐ Blanket or seasonal clothing
☐ Basic vehicle emergency supplies
☐ Sturdy shoes
☐ Pet supplies if needed
☐ Personal/family-specific items

Missing something?

WRITE IT DOWN.

You don't have to buy everything today.

Add one item at a time as your budget allows.

DAY 10 — DONE!

Ten days.

Ten little preparedness jobs.

And today, your preparedness followed you out of the house and into your vehicle.

Because emergencies don't check your address before they happen.

Home. Work. Road.

Preparedness goes with us.

Tomorrow we're opening that first-aid kit for Day 11! 

Until then...

One little thing at a time. 

— Mimi

PackFreshUSA | 30 Easy Preparedness Ideas