Emergency Kit for your Car

For many of us, jumper cables and a snow scraper is the extent of our car safety kit. When was the last time you peered in your trunk and evaluated your kit?

Since 2006, the Government of Canada (in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance and the Salvation Army) began its 72 Hours campaign. The campaign helps Canadians '...cope on their own for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency, enabling first responders to focus on those in urgent need.'

Here's what Public Safety Canada recommends as a basic emergency kit for to keep in your car:

 Food that won't spoil, such as energy bars

 Water in plastic bottles so they won't break (change every 6 months)

 Blanket

 Extra clothing and shoes

 First aid kit with seatbelt cutter

 Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush

 Candle in a deep can and matches

 Wind-up flashlight

 Whistle in case you need to attract attention

 Roadmaps

 Copy of your emergency plan and personal documents

The Get Prepared campaign also recommends keeping these inside your trunk:

• Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
• Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning light or road flares

Click here for the above information in checklist format.

Visit Canada's Get Prepared campaign and get your family ready in case of an emergency.

Do you have a first-aid kit at home? Here's what you should keep in it.