Traveling for Thanksgiving? Prepare for emergencies

Even our crews are prepared for emergencies here are some items they keep on hand as they travel. 

Many of us are planning a busy week of travel to our Thanksgiving holiday destinations. Before you hit the road, it is important to keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance to help prevent a breakdown. Ready.gov recommends you or a mechanic check the following on your vehicle:

• Antifreeze levels
• Battery and ignition system
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Fuel and air filters
• Heater and defroster
• Lights and flashing hazard lights
• Oil
• Thermostat
• Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level
•  

Even if you have done all the necessary maintenance checks, unexpected situations still happen. Are you prepared if your car breaks down on the side of the road during a snow storm, or if you slide off into a ditch?

Having an emergency kit with the right items and tools can keep you and your passengers safe and as comfortable as possible until help arrives. It is also important to remember that not every emergency kit is built the same, so tailor it to the condition of your vehicle and the weather conditions in the areas where you travel.

The emergency kit in your vehicle should be checked every six months and expired items should be replaced as needed. Here are some items to have:

• First aid kit with bandages in multiple sizes, gauze, tape, antibiotic cream, over-the-counter pain relievers, allergy medicine, hand sanitizer and cotton swabs
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Jumper cables
• Drinking water
• Warm clothing or blankets
• Non-perishable snacks such as nuts
• Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
• Fire extinguisher
• Multi-purpose tool and/or tool kit
• Road flares
• Car charger for your cell phone which should have family and emergency phone numbers

In addition to preparing your vehicle, you can increase your chances of making it safely to the table by driving sober, wearing your seat belt, following the speed limit and focusing on the road ahead. As always, remember to check road conditions before you leave at www.kandrive.org