With Summer right around the corner you may be planning one or two road trips on your own or with your family. It is so easy to get busy with the packing that remembering to prepare your car and what is already in it gets lost in the chaos. That is why it is key to be prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about too many details the day of. Here is a short list of things you will want to have thought of before you start your journey.

1. Get a Check up:

Just like our physical needs an annual check up so does our car, especially before long  journeys. Check the air pressure in your tires, fluid levels, tread on your tires, and the battery. These may be things you can check on your own, but if you need a professional to do so schedule this at least a week in advance so you know there is plenty of time to fix any problems. One thing you may not know is that if the tread on your tires is not great and you add a lot of weight to your car you are more likely to BLOW a tire. This happened to my husband and he definitely learned this lesson the hard way.

2. Become familiar with the route to your destination:

I love my smart phone and the google maps app that allows you to have a built in GPS. Study the route before you get into the car so you are not looking at your phone too often (especially if you are traveling without a companion.) You could also print out the directions or bring along an extra map. You will also want to plan out rest stops where you can use the restroom, fuel up, or take a break if necessary. (If you are traveling with kids you know you will need to be doing this more often!) Don’t forget to pack a car charger for your phone as well, I have had times that I have lost battery on my phone and it was not fun.

3. Get a good night’s sleep before you begin traveling:

Drowsy driving is equivalent to drunk driving and is extremely scary. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself before and during your travels so that you are not a hazard to those around you and the ones traveling with you in your car. If necessary grab some caffeine, turn on the AC, and loud music; if these don’t do the trick you are too tired and must take some time to sleep. Better to show up late than to not show up at all.

4. Pack down:

Make sure there are no projectile objects on or in your car. Loose strollers or backpacks can be a major hazard if you have to stop abruptly. Also make sure that there aren’t items in your car that could be hazardous to young, curious hands.

5. Prepare for time:

If you are traveling with kids this is especially important. We are talking snacks, games, movies, books, or whatever it is to help the little ones pass the time without complaining too much or as Bart Simpson would say, “Are we THERE YET!?” Sometimes it can be helpful to have an attack plan of what it is you want to do or open up a new surprise every hour to keep things interesting: coloring book and crayons, pictures, movie, treats, music, etc. Here is an awesome LIST on 50+ activities that you can do with your kids in the car.

6. Check the car seats:

It is important to give your car seats some attention as well. Often car seats or belt placement on the child can be off. Consider giving your car seat extra attention before embarking on your journey as well. Here are some helpful tips on how to make sure your car seat(s) are installed correctly. If you are still having trouble you can go to your local police/fire station and they can help you there as well.

7. Pack a Car Safety Kit:

This is so important because often times these kits will have items that you wouldn’t even think about packing yourself. Make sure they include jumper cables, a flare, water, sunblock, first aid kit, and emergency snacks. The best, most inclusive car kit I have found is from Survival Paradise. They have a Family Road Guardian Survival Kit that is an auto kit and a 72 hour kit all rolled into one. This kit is PACKED and has everything you could possibly need in an emergency.

Family Road Guardian Survival kit

Food and Water:
9 – 400 Calorie Food Bars (3600 calories)
24 – 4 oz. Water Pouches
20 Water Purification Tablets – each tablet purifies 1 liter of water
24 oz. Water Filtration Bottle

Shelter and Warmth:
4 Emergency Ponchos With Hoods
4 Emergency Survival Blankets
2 Warm Fleece Blankets
2 Person Tube Tent with Rope
4 16 Hour Body Warmers

Light and Communication:
30 Hour Emergency Candle
12 Hour Emergency Bright Stick
Multi-Function Auto Guardian Flashlight
Dynamo 4-in-1 Radio Flashlight
5 -in-1 Survival Whistle
Box of Waterproof Matches

First Aid:
1 Guardian 65 Piece Deluxe First Aid Kit

Tools:
50 feet of Paracord
16 Function Knife
Safety Goggles
Sewing Kit
Infectious Waste Bag
Pair Leather Palm Gloves
Fix-a-Flat Tire Inflator
Reflective Triangle
Tow Rope – 10 ft.
Six Bungee cords
Oil Funnel
Car Battery Jumper Cables
Compact Multi-Function Shovel
Portable Cooking Stove (includes Fuel Tablets)
16 oz. Steel Cup
Blue Tarp 5′ x 7′
Roll of Duct Tape
4 N95 Respirator Dust Mask – NIOSH approved

Hygiene:
4 Hygiene Kits
4 Pocket Tissue Packs

Other:
Note Pad
Golf Pencil
Deck of Playing Cards

If this looks like a kit that you would be interested in having you can get one a few different ways! Yourfreetree.com offers special gift certificates for Survival Paradise that you can’t find any where else. This package is one of their larger kits that would cover you in all different kinds of weather conditions, if you are looking for a car kit that is smaller for more every day use you can find one HERE or 72 hour kits for home use as well.

We have teamed up with two of our favorite bloggers Clarks Condensed and Live Like You are Rich to offer you the chance to win one of three products from Survival Paradise! We will be giving away The Family Road Guardian Survival Kit, Earthquake Survival 72 hour Kit, and  a one person guardian 72 hour kit.

Looking for more safety tips? Check out How To Prepare for, React to, & Recover from ‘ The Earthquake’

or

Prepare Your Family For Disaster 

Don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter below to win! There are three prizes and three winners! Giveaway ends Monday at 12 a.m. MST

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway