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NO TRUNK SHOULD EVER BE WITHOUT A CAR SURVIVAL KIT

     Every driver should carry a survival kit in their vehicle trunk, especially on long trips.  Here are some important items to consider:

  • Booster cables.  The thicker, the better.  Don't waste your money on cheap products with thin cables because they'll burn out quickly and can cause fires.  Look for four or six-gauge cables.  The tips of the clamps should be angled so they'll work with batteries where the terminals are on the side instead of on top.

  • Chemicals.  These include windshield washer fluid, motor oil, transmission oil, power steering fuel, brake fluid, anti-freeze and WD-40.  Remember to also have some rags on hand for wiping dip sticks so fluid levels can be checked properly.

  • A plastic container able to hold up to four litres of gasoline for that day when you run out of fuel and you have to trek to a service station.

  • Spare windshield wiper blades and washer fluid.

  • Emergency flares.  If you ever have to use them, remember to place them at least 15 meters away from your car to give other drivers enough warning of the problem.

  • Sand, salt or kitty liter during winter.  This comes in handy if you're stuck when wheels are spinning on ice.

  • Traction bars.  These look like a set of folding metal jaws and can be placed underneath a tire to gain traction on slippery ground.

  • A mini air compressor to help re-inflate a flat tire and puncture seal gel such as Patch a Flat.

  • A tire gauge for measuring the air pressure in your tires.

  • A flashlight and spare fuses.  Carry an assortment that include at least one 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 amp fuses.

  • Tool Kit, including a 12-volt automotive test light, a good quality screwdriver set with a flat head, Phillips head, square head, pliers, small hammer, utility knife, ratchet socket set, a four-way wrench.  Vise-Grip pliers, rolls of electrical and duct tape and a set of five metric wrenches.  (Don't use an adjustable wrench because you can strip the bolts on your car.)

  • A mini trolley floor jack, which is sturdier than the jacks supplied with most cars.  Plus a 60 cm by 60 cm sheet of plywood to provide a flat surface on which to stand your jack.

  • A blanket, a candle, camping matches.

  • Fire extinguisher.

 

FIRST AID KIT FOR THE CAR

  • St. John Ambulance manual

  • 6 triangular bandages

  • 4 pressure bandages

  • Twelve 4-by-4 inch sterile gauze dressings

  • 1 large non-stick burn dressing

  • Two 3 inch Kling roller bandages

  • 1 roll one-inch adhesive tape

  • 36 adhesive strips

  • 1 pair heavy-duty first aid scissors

  • 6 large safety pins

  • Antiseptic towelettes

  • Emergency blanket (weatherproof foil or plastic)

  • Notepad and pencil

  • Change for a telephone call

 

Submitted by:
Community Safety Office, Brockville Police Service

 

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