Tips For Storing Emergency Supplies in Your Vehicle

Listen up, all you preppers out there! It’s no secret that emergencies and natural disasters seem to be happening a lot more often these days, and with greater intensity. Some say it’s due to global warming, while others will tell you it’s a judgment that’s coming to pass. But one thing is clear, these traumatic events show no partiality to anyone. This is why many of you, like myself, have gathered supplies and made certain preparations so we’re ready for when it does happen. Let’s talk about tips for storing emergency supplies in your vehicle. In case you missed this post, How To Make Your Own Emergency Car Kit

“Prepare Your Family For Survival”

Tips For Storing Emergency Supplies in Your Vehicle

 

Unfortunately, you just never know where you’ll be when a disaster strikes, whether you’re away at work or out on the highway with your family on a vacation hundreds of miles away. What good are those emergency supplies that you’ve got stored in your basement or bug out location going to do you if you’re not there to use them? Or maybe you are at home when an emergency takes place, but you’re forced to evacuate your home in a hurry, without the necessary time to gather critical supplies that you might need. What then? 

Storing Emergency Supplies

This is what I have in my Honda CRV which is a very small car, but this works great. I put a RED first aid symbol on the DeWalt tool kit so people walking by would not think I had tools in it. Mark and I picked up the tool kit at HomeDepot years ago.

Unless your vehicle is prone to spending a lot of time in the shop, for the most part, it’s something that is always close by. That being said, your vehicle is something that you can not only escape quickly in, but you can also have critical supplies stored in it for a less stressful evacuation. Here are a few tips and emergency supplies to keep in your vehicle. 

Surviving In the Outdoors

Being forced to live out in the wilderness can be dangerous for most of us. Even if you go camping every year, surviving out in the wilderness can still be a challenge for you if you don’t have the proper skills and supplies to do so. Here are a few of those supplies that you need to consider storing: 

• Flashlight and flares
• Camping stove with fuel
• Cooking pans, plates, utensils
• Multi-tool with a knife
• Waterproof matches and camping fuel canister  
• Appropriate clothing for the current season    
• Rain gear
• Hiking boots 
• Bug repellant 
• Camping tent
• Sleeping bags (can handle colder weather) 
• Water filters
• Trash bags (sanitation and trash) 
• Toiletries 
• Food and water (Store in an ice chest and rotate regularly). 

Remember A First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit is another item that you’ll want to have with you during any emergency situation. It will need to include band-aids, gauze dressings, iodine wipes, scissors, antiseptic cleaning wipes, hydrogen peroxide, and Benadryl lotion. Pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medicines, cold packs, and heat pads are something else to consider having in your first-aid kit. 

Pack Baby Supplies

Do you have a baby that requires you to think about storing other supplies? Fortunately, when it comes to a baby, they require items that shouldn’t take up too much space. As long as you don’t overdo it, that is. Their basic needs are fairly similar to ours, which include shelter, food, water, and sanitation. These are a few of the items that they’ll be needing: 

• Baby formula and water (Keep in an ice chest or have ready in your home. Your vehicle’s temperatures should never exceed 99 degrees) 
• Baby food (again, keep in an ice chest) 
• Bottles
• Diapers and baby wipes
• Trashbags
• Appropriate clothing  
• Blankets
• Diaper rash ointment 
• Gas relief drops
• Infant Pain relievers 
• Sunblock 
• Baby shampoo 

Rotate From Season to Season

Emergency supplies can already take up a lot of room in your vehicle, so rotating those supplies from season to season may be something that works best for you. For example, in the summertime, your blankets, snow boots, coats, and winter gloves aren’t items that you’ll be needing, so take them out to make room for other supplies that make more sense for the current season.    

Keep an Ice Chest Handy

You may have certain emergency supplies that you don’t want to overheat or freeze due to extreme temperatures. This is why having an ice chest for insulating those items is so important for you to consider. Failing to do so can leave your family extremely disappointed when you go to use spoiled or destroyed supplies.   

Provide Your Kids with Comfort

A disaster can be extremely difficult for anyone, especially when it pertains to your kids. They’re sure to be wrestling with several fears and insecurities and more than likely will have a rough time coping with all of it. Provide your children with comforting things that can keep their minds preoccupied elsewhere, whether it’s a coloring book, a stuffed animal, games, or some of their favorite (non-perishable) comfort foods.  

Don’t Forget Face Masks, Hand Sanitizer, and Clorox Wipes

No one knows how much longer we’ll be living in a pandemic world, so if you want to be granted access to grocery stores, restaurants, and other public facilities, you’ll need to be sure to have plenty of face masks for you and your family. There may be times that you aren’t able to wash your hands with soap and warm water, so remember to pack hand sanitizer that will carry you over. Clorox wipes will be necessary to wipe down other surfaces that may have been touched by someone that was sick.   

Other Vehicle Supplies 

These are a few items that you should have in your vehicle regardless of whether you decide to store emergency supplies in your vehicle or not: 

• Jumper cables
• Flares
• shovel
• Windshield scraper
• Tow rope
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape 
• Fix-a-flat
• 12-volt air compressor
• Heavy work gloves
• Flashlights and batteries
• Paper or Cloth towels and cleaning solution to clean windows
• Car Anti Slip Tire Chains Zip Tie Kit

Final Word

You have to remember that the emergency supplies that you have stored in your vehicle may look a little different than what other people have tucked away in theirs. That’s because everyone’s situation looks a bit different, whether you have a baby, pet, or a family member that requires certain medical supplies or medicines. 

Just remember to take into account that certain items won’t do well in extreme cold or hot temperatures. Putting them in the trunk of your car may not be a wise action on your part. With these few tips and supplies set aside, they’ll provide you with a temporary solution, instead of your family having to go without. What tips for storing emergency supplies in your vehicle do you have to share? May God Bless this world, Linda.  

Copyright Images: Set Of Automobile Accessories Deposit photos_171804490_s-2019