Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness Preparedness Kit for the Vehicle

Ohio Insurance Institute and Ohio Department of Insurance

Emergency Preparedness Kit for Vehicles

Vehicle emergency preparedness kits are not intended for everyday use. They’re only needed during times of emergencies. Much like insurance, an emergency preparedness kit is something you should have, but hope you’ll never need to use. The Ohio Insurance Institute and the Ohio Department of Insurance suggest the following items for your vehicle emergency kit (some items specified for winter months).

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness suggests storing preparedness kit items in a large plastic tub and a lid that secures.

• At least two blankets or a sleeping bag
• Flashlight (preferably water and shock-proof) and spare batteries
• Extra clothing – particularly, hats, boots and mittens/gloves
• Bottled water and nonperishable high-energy foods (granola bars, raisins, nuts, hard candies, peanut butter or cheese crackers)
• Emergency flares
• Jumper cables
• Spare tire/tire iron/jack
• First-aid kit and necessary bandages/medications
• Sand or non-clumping cat litter for tire traction, if vehicle gets stuck on ice or in snow
• A cell phone and extra cell phone battery or charger
• Tow rope or chain
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a signal

Winterize your vehicle before the winter season kicks in. Get a tune-up to save wear and tear on its battery. If you drive with all-season tires, ensure that they are properly inflated and have your tires rotated annually. Other vehicle care tips include:

• Check the radiator coolant level and check the sturdiness of hoses and belts.
• Refer to the vehicle’s manual to see if a lighter grade motor oil is recommended for winter driving.
• Check and replace all burned out headlights, tail lights and turn signals.
• Check tires’ tread. Minimum tread is 1/16-inch for adequate traction.
• Ensure the vehicle’s brakes are in proper working order.
• Keep spare window washer fluid in the trunk and ensure the wiper blades are in good condition.
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow. Poisonous gases filter into your vehicle if the pipe is clogged.

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