National Preparedness Month Day 19--Vehicle Preparedness

Having a vehicle can be critical to your ability to bug out in the event of a disaster.  If you have a vehicle (I say "if" because many people in cities opt not to have one in favor of public transit and Uber), here is how to ensure that it is always ready to go:

• Always keep your vehicle in good working order.
• Do regular maintenance on your vehicle both to ensure that it is in good working order and to increase its lifespan (oil changes, air filter changes, topping off fluids, etc).
• Make sure your registration and proof of insurance is in the glove box.
• Consider window tinting for your vehicle as well as installing a dash cam.
• Never let your gas tank drop below half a tank.
• If you can safely store an extra can or two of gas for your vehicle at home, do so.  Be sure to rotate this fuel regularly.
• Have good tires on your vehicle.
• If you live in or travel to areas where there may be snow, have snow tires or tire chains on hand.
• Always keep water and food in your car (be sure to rotate these items frequently).
• Keep the following emergency items in your vehicle: first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, work gloves, tarp, emergency flares or reflectors, jack, spare tire, FixAFlat, fire extinguisher, jumper cables/jump starter, rain poncho, umbrella, tow straps, rope, fire extinguisher, rags, window breaker/emergency escape tool, basic tools (pliers, wrenches, hammer, screwdrivers, etc), zip ties, duct tape, ice scraper, cell phone charger, mylar blankets, matches, zip loc bags, plastic garbage bags, wet wipes, paper maps, extra cash, down throw, change of clothes and small toiletry kit, battery or hand crank radio, whistle, N95 mask, multipurpose tool, any special supplies (stuff for your dog/kids/infants/etc).
• If you can legally carry a concealed weapon in your vehicle, have your weapon, holster, and spare magazines/ammo in a secure place in your vehicle.
• Know how to drive in all weather conditions (if, for example, you don't know how to drive in snow, go practice in a parking lot before hitting the road).  There are also plenty of YouTube videos on this subject.