Is Your Vehicle Prepared?

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As an emergency management agency, we see a lot of pictures and videos of disasters. They serve as important reminders to us of why we should be prepared for anything that we might encounter.

Today, we saw a video from the perspective of a dash-mounted camera inside a car during the Japan Tsunami on 3-11-11.  Check it out at  http://fragg.me/video/japan-tsunami-inside-car. Be forewarned...this footage is incredible and horrifying.

While we often encourage people to be prepared at home and at work, many folks often forget that it is just as important to be prepared in your vehicle, too. With lengthy commutes, the possibility of car accidents, or a simple flat tire, the reality is, you could be stuck on the road or near the side of the road for a long time.

If you are prepared with a few handy items in your car, you may also be ready to help others should you arrive at an accident scene or find someone in need of assistance. Some items to be sure that you carry in your vehicle include:

• Bottles of water
• Jumper Cables
• Blanket or sleeping bag (to keep warm or help accident victims who may be in shock)
• Flashlight or flares (to be able to have some light or signal distress even in the dark)
• Emergency food like granola bars
• Battery powered radio 
• Phone chargers that are not reliant on your car battery for power