Driving Prepared; the Best Emergency Items to Carry in Your Car in Stafford, VA

 

A good car should be like a good boy scout; prepared. When buying a used car in Stafford, Va you should always equip that vehicle for the possibilities of an emergency. Some items that we prefer our Buy Here Pay Here customers at Airport Auto Sales to carry are obvious such as jumper cables while the kitty litter may cause you to scratch your head.

All of these items will keep you safe and possibly moving in the event of a roadside emergency:

First Aid Kit: In the event that you get into an accident and acquire some minor injuries or you scrape your knee changing a tire, a first aid kit can make all of the difference. Standard gauze, band-aids, alcohol wipes, and tweezers can take an injury from pestering to manageable.

Jumper Cables: Whether you are purchasing a brand new vehicle or a used car in Stafford, Va, you should be prepared for the inevitability of a dead battery. An interior dome light has been a nightmare come to life for many of us in the morning when the car won’t turn over. A more expensive option would be to invest in a jump box which can run anywhere from $50-$100 but will save you from waiting for a good samaritan to give you a  jump.

Spare Tire, Jack , and Lug Wrench: Another no brainer is a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. Check your spare frequently for air and cracks.

Hazard Triangles and Flares: We’ve all had one or two instances at night where we spot someone standing on the roadside with their broken down car at the LAST second and swerved just in time. A hazard triangle or flare can give oncoming traffic time to see and adapt their speed and position on the road for you.

Tire Pressure Gauge: We suggest for our Buy Here Pay Here customers to check their tire pressure once a month or before any big trips. Frequent tire pressure checks can tip you off to a slow leak or a potential flat tire.

Water: Growing up in the deserts of Arizona, grandma always carried a case of water with her in case of emergencies. After years of having to carry out cases of water to grandma’s trunk, all of us grandkids now keep a case of water in our own cars. As it turns out, we all might be poisoning ourselves! In warm climates plastic water bottles degrade and release dangerous, cancer causing BPA’s into the water. It’s better to store the water inside of an ice chest that is better at regulating the water bottle against extreme temperatures. If you have a trunk, keep the water there so it stays out of the sun.

Map: Yes, those old fashioned things that become floor mats or napkins because your smart phone can get you there. Just in case you get lost without cell service or your phone dies, a map can be vital.

Multi Tool: What surprise job can a multi tool not handle? These compact tools come in handy from anything to opening a can of soda to cutting wires.

Flashlight: Another no- brainer. There’s nothing worse than hoping your eyeballs suddenly gain the ability of night vision so you can see what tire you’re changing.

Duct Tape: Can fix everything. Fallen off bumper? Tape it back on. Fallen off mirror? Tape it back on. Broken window? Tape it over! Duct tape can get you home from an accident every time.

Blanket: Not only good for naps, a blanket can help keep you warm in the event that you get stranded in freezing temperatures. It can also be useful to lay on while changing a tire or covering seats if you get back in soaking wet from rain.

Cat Litter: No, we don’t want your cats to live in your car. Cat litter is extremely useful if you have an oil or another liquid spill as it is extremely absorbative. A little sprinkled under your tires can also give you enough traction to get out of an icy or muddy situation.

Fire extinguisher: This is the only item we suggest lightly. The only time we suggest using a fire extinguisher is if you have a cabin fire and the extinguisher close by. With any other vehicle fire you should exit the car with any passengers. Trying to open the hood to put a fire out will increase the air flow and possibly cause you harm. Get out and away from the vehicle and call 911. For insurance and safety reasons, it is better to just let the car burn.

Whether you have bought one of the used cars in Stafford, Va from our Buy Here Pay Here lot at Airport Auto Sales, another used car dealership, or a brand new 2019 you should always carry these items in your car. Accidents and emergencies never happen when we want them to, but these items can keep you alive and moving on the road.