Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go…. But what if we grands take the kids over the river and through the woods instead, and encounter car trouble?
Have you thought about what you would do if your car broke down, especially with small children in tow? Depending on the part of the country you live in, even a five-minute ride from your home could leave you with an auto safety dilemma.
Consider a membership with an organization like AAA (it’s also a thoughtful gift for a friend). Carry your membership card in your purse, but keep a copy in the glove compartment, just to be secure.
Now let’s add on some necessities:
Jumper cables, four 15-minute roadside flares, first aid kit, including a manual complete with CPR instructions, bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic cream, etc. If you have a grandchild with allergies or specific medical conditions, make sure you have their medication on board.
Add to that a flashlight with extra batteries (keep batteries separate so they don’t drain), duct tape, paper towels, pocketknife, pen and paper, granola or energy bars, breath mints, bottled water, insect repellent, small mirror, several waterproof matches, coloring book and markers (crayons melt), disposable camera, moist wipes, two emergency survival blankets, whistle, bungee cords, cell phone and charger, help sign, and reflective triangles for nighttime emergencies.
You can organize these items any way you want. If your vehicle is small, separate the kit into waterproof bags and place them under the front seat, in the glove compartment or in a spare-tire well. If your car has a trunk, you can store the items in a large canvas bag, old diaper bag, gym bag, fishing tackle box, caboodle or soft crate [http://www.marthastewart.com/article/car-trunk-organizer].
You can make safety kits for yourself and others, or purchase them in retail auto stores or online [http://safetykitsplus.wordpress.com/about/]; they range from $15 to over $200. Kits are equipped with the basics; and depending on where you reside, you should include either sunblock or a snow shovel.
For the safety of our grandchildren, this is the perfect holiday gift for any grand.
Cathy Droz is a test-car driver for the boomer generation [http://www.grandmashotwheels.info/]. She and her on-air partner review autos on their Phoenix radio show. To hear their podcasts (including this article), click here [www.twofortheroadusa.com] and then click on the radio show link.