When you’re heading out on the road for a road trip this summer, it’s important to make sure you are prepared for the summer temperatures and also for any possible emergencies. Here’s a quick list of essential items you should have in your trunk before you leave.
Flashlights
Yes, it’s summer, but it still gets dark at night. Flashlights are an essential item to have in your trunk whether you are on a roadtrip or not. Nowadays, the best flashlights use LED’s, which are smaller and brighter, perfect for keeping in your trunk for any roadway emergencies. Also consider getting a solar powered or hand crank powered flashlight. Solar powered is great for summer as there are more light hours during the day in order to charge the light up. Hand crank power is great should you get stuck at night and have no batteries for your lights.
Food/Water
Your first essential item is food and water. Buy some jugs of water, rather than small water bottles. A jug will be easier to store in your trunk and also be easier to use should you need to pour water on a fire or use water for your car. You can also drink out of the jug if needed or fill up your smaller water bottles with it. For food, instead of snack foods that might get crushed, grab some cases of protein bars when they are on sale. Protein bars will be individually wrapped and even if they get crushed, will still be edible. Protein bars will also be able to take the heat, unless you go for chocolate covered bars.
Emergency and Repair Supplies
For if you get stuck on the road and break down, having essential emergency and repair supplies will come in handy. Make sure you have things like a jack, jumper cables, spare tire, shovel, flares, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, blanket, tarp, road flares, duct tape and knife.
Electronics Essentials
Having a cell phone can be a life saver in many situations, but if the charge runs out and your car battery dies, it’s not of much use. Make sure to keep a power bank handy. There are even solar powered power banks available. Also make sure to have a regular battery powered radio. A solar or battery powered fan would also come in handy should your air conditioning go out at some point.
