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Building an Emergency Roadside Kit
Proper maintenance, defensive driving and obeying traffic laws all significantly reduce your chances of breakdowns or being in a crash, but it's always best to be prepared for the unexpected.
"Adverse weather conditions, other drivers' poor habits and unexpected breakdowns can happen to anyone," says Tim Hoyt, Nationwide's Vice President of Safety. "Roadside preparation and safety can help get you through those unexpected situations."
One way to be prepared is a roadside safety kit. But making a roadside safety kit means more than placing a few bandage strips in the glove compartment and a blanket in the trunk. Having the right tools on hand can keep you safe and get you back on the road in no time.
"You can purchase a roadside safety kit at many stores, or you can put one together yourself," says Hoyt. "Whether you build or buy, it's important to make sure you have all the tools you need."
Check to make sure your ultimate roadside safety kit has the following items.
- Emergency thermal blanket
- Bottled water
- Crackers or cookies
- Road flare with matches
- Auto distress flag
- Safety reflector vest
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Jumper cables
- Shovel
- Abrasive materials like sand or kitty litter
Additionally, a complete first aid kit should be included. The following materials should be on-board at all times.
- Antiseptic cleansing wipes
- Bandage strips in a variety of sizes
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Finger splint
- Iodine swab sticks
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Ammonia inhalant
- Instant Cold Pack
- Safety gloves
- First Aid instruction card
"Drivers play a key role in reducing death and injury, both to themselves and their passengers," says Hoyt. "By simply taking a little extra time to plan ahead and create a roadside safety kit, you can be ready for almost any emergency."
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