- EMERGENCY TRIANGLE
- One of the leading causes of serious accidents are stationary vehicles which are hit by other vehicles travelling at high speeds.
- If your car is stationary anywhere on a public road, switch your hazard lights on immediately and then place the emergency triangle on the roadway at least 45m from the back of your vehicle, facing traffic approaching from the rear. This will ensure that your car is visible to other road users and allow them enough time to slow down.
- FIRE EXTUINGISHER
- This is a factor that many drivers don’t even consider when it comes to your car emergency kit, but it could mean the difference between life or death.
- Ensure that you regularly check the expiry date on your fire extinguisher. Fire spreads quickly, and in most cases the fire department simply can’t get to the scene fast enough.
- FIRST AID KIT
- Although many vehicles are fitted with a standard first aid kit, which could be very handy, it is a good idea to spruce it up a little by adding a few additional items.
- Keep critical medicines in the car for any family member with a serious medical condition. Because some medicines cannot be stored in hot temperatures, look for alternatives that you could use in order to buy you some time in case of an emergency.
- POWER BANK
- Yes, you could charge your phone in the car – but what do you do when you get stuck on the side of the road with an unresponsive car AND a dead cell phone?
- Keep a fully charged power bank in your car for emergency situations like this, the possibility of you ever needing it might be really odd, but you’ll be extremely grateful when the time comes and you need it.
- SNACKS AND WATER
- Getting stuck on the side of the road is not an episode of “Survivor”. But if you do a quick survey amongst your colleagues or friends, you are likely to hear a story or two about how one of them got stuck on the side of the road for hours.
- An accident or overturned truck could delay you for hours. If you have children with you, it’s even more important to keep them hydrated while you wait for help or for an accident scene to be cleared.
- FLASHLIGHT
- Keep a decent flash light in your car at all times and regularly check the batteries. It could help save your life in case of an accident by helping you check for serious injuries, find your cell phone or your first aid kit. It could also help flag down passing vehicles or identify your location if the car has left the road during the accident.
- COPY OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE AND MEDICAL AID DETAILS
- If you’re involved in an accident, the odds of first responders being able to access your phone seems unlikely, and they will revert to checking your emergency kit for details. It’s simply extra insurance.
- JUMPER CABLES
- Even a brand-new car can suffer from a flat battery and it is therefore a good idea to keep a pair of jumper cables in your car.
- TYRE REPAIR KIT
- Not only is a flat tyre frustrating, but if you get stuck on the wrong road (or a busy one), it could be extremely dangerous. Most tyre repair kits are a quick fix that will at least allow you to drive to the nearest service station.
