Emergency Preparedness For the Family Vehicle

As a father, you have to be prepared for anything. From baby-proofing your home to getting ready for the new scool year to talking to your teens about drug and alcohol, you know that you need to be equipped with information and resources to help you respond appropriately to any situation in the best interest of your children.

Traveling in the family vehicle brings a new set of potential emergencies that you need to be ready to respond to. Use this checklist below to equip your car with everything you need to keep you and your kids safe and happy on the road.

Checklist of Important Things To Keep In Your Car

Vehicle Emergencies: Make sure you have the following things in your trunk in case of a break-down:

Jumper cables
Spare tire
2.5 gallon gas can
Flashlight with extra batteries
Reflective triangles or flares.
Bottled water and some non-perishable snacks such as protein bars in case you're stranded for awhlie

In the winter in cold climates, you should also keep:

All-purpose blanket
Folding shovel
Kitty litter or sand in case you get stuck in the snow

"Mishap" emergencies: Keep these things stored in your glove compartment or in car organizer for the occassional "accidents":

A well-stocked first aid-kit
Cleansing wipes, napkins, or paper towels to quickly clean-up spills
Hand sanitizer
Travel-sized trash receptical
An extra change of clothes for your child and several diapers (if applicable)
A roll of toilet paper in case "hold it!" will only get you enough time to pull over and run to the woods with your little tyke
An atlas or road map on hand (yes, you have a GPS on your mobile device... but batteries only last so long) for when your travels take you somewhere unfamiliar (aka... you get lost)

"Cranky kid" emergencies: A fussy child or bickering siblings can pose challenges for both parents and little ones, especially when you're stuck in the car. These items may help:

A couple favorite toys or books in the car to whip out when the little guys get restless
A stash of favorite snacks and low-sugar drinks on hand to satisfy hunger if your travels keep out past meal time
The kids' favorite music or an audio book to provide entertainment/distraction
Extra pacifiers (you know they get lost so easily) or your child's "security" item in case a total meltdown is unpreventable