As winter weather arrives in the metro-Atlanta area, many Georgians are reminded of the “Snowpocalypse” of 2014. Countless commuters were left stranded on impassable roadways. Many abandoned their vehicles in search for shelter, while others chose to wait it out inside their cars.
For many, this experience may have been more bearable had they been prepared for the lengthy time spent in their automobiles. Regardless of the weather or road conditions, it is always important to keep certain items in your trunk or glove box. The most obvious is a car emergency kit, which often times include jumper cables, first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, reflective triangles, and more. Jones & Swanson has compiled a more comprehensive list of items not as commonly thought-of when prepping your vehicle for emergency situations.
Your vehicles should be equipped with the following items, in addition to your typical emergency kit, at all times:
- Duct tape
- Bottled water
- Energy bars and other nonperishable foods
- Solar or radio-powered radio
- Seat belt cutter/window breaker combination
- Paper maps
- Warm blankets
- Tissues or paper towels
- Paper and writing utensils
- Umbrella
- Change of clothing, extra gloves, and comfortable shoes
- Mobile device charger
- Cell phone
While this list may seem like a lot, the items themselves are each relatively small and will take up little space in your vehicle’s trunk, glove compartment, or console. Some of these items, such as a cell phone, may seem obvious but others may not be as commonly thought-of. Duct tape is a quick fix for a variety of car problems and other weather-related issues; seat belt cutters are required in auto accidents regularly when the release button is unreachable or broken. And paper maps are smart, as you never know when your cell phone or GPS will malfunction or lose power.
At Jones & Swanson, our staff members care about the local Marietta community and its citizens. We are all active members of the Cobb County community and hope to provide helpful tips and information to assist if you find yourself in a stranded vehicle for any reason.
