Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Emergency Kit for the Car

You may not have an "emergency stash" in your car, or you may have one but haven't repacked it in weeks, months or even years. We've all found ourselves in those unfortunate binds when we're out and about and need something and we need that something fast! Without it, kids will be crying, or even screaming, messes will get messier and an otherwise pleasant car ride will turn into the longest ten minutes of our lives. Okay, I'm exaggerating on that last point, but it's definitely no fun to have to deal with the consequences of not having a key item when it counts. To make life much easier and car rides much more enjoyable, start packing (or re-packing) your emergency bag with these key items.

1. The bag. First, you need "the bag." You can certainly use any bag, but I would recommend that you switch out the plastic grocery bag for a real bag with a zipper. This will keep everything contained and you won't have to worry about items falling out and rolling under seats so that they're just out of reach when you really need them.

2. Medical supplies. Even if you've never had to use medical supplies while you're out, having the contents will be worth it if a medical emergency (however minor) arises. Band-aids, Neosporin, Cortaid, Antiseptic, gauze, latex gloves, tweezers, and hand sanitizer. It may sound way too intense to keep all of these supplies, but you never know when you, or someone else, could use them. To simplify the gathering process, you can always just buy a first-aid kit.

3. Change of clothes. Pick out an outfit for each child (don't forget socks) and stick them in the bag. Your young children could have accidents, get sick, step in puddles, spill food or drink and...Again, you may never have to use these, but let's be honest, with young kids, chances are good that you probably will.

4. Snacks, snacks, snacks. I don't really need to elaborate here, do I?? Haven't we all found ourselves stuck in traffic or running errands and cutting it way too close to dinner time when the kids get hungry? Make sure to choose the emergency snacks wisely. Perhaps something that is somewhat healthy - so that if it spoils their dinner, at least it will provide some nutrition - and something that doesn't crumble or will be easy to clean up if it does spill (we love raisins, Kix cereal, and granola bars covered with yogurt).

5. An extra blanket (or two or three). These don't have to fit in the bag, but an extra blanket for each child is a great thing to have. Use them for warmth, drying off or laying down on the ground for picnics. If you're looking for versatility, pack towels, which can keep them warm and dry!

6. Miscellaneous essentials. A large box of wipes, paper towels, sunscreen, bug spray, plastic fork, knife, spoon, extra pacifier, bottle or sippy cup.

7. $5. You probably don't like the idea of leaving money in your car, but 5 dollars could come in real handy someday. This could buy food or drink for the kids, pay a toll or cover an emergency grocery store run for one or two items.

**It's a good idea to stick a small bottle of instant hand sanitizer in the drink holders of all the car doors. That will help you remember to wash off the germs while you're strapping the kids, and yourself, in.

2 comments:

  1. I'm loving the mommy blog! Thanks for the helpful tips.

    Kasey

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  2. linley! thank you for this. i am so enjoying your bits of wisdom. i literally HAD to share some great things that i learned this week.
    http://theberres.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-just-had-to-share.html
    also, your roasted vegetable recipe has been my go-to since you posted it. it is so yummy and works for whatever fresh vegetable i have on hand. thanks

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