4M – Margarita’s Manic Monday Minutes- Car Survival Kit

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Car Survival Kit

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The fall weather is beginning to cool down these days, it is always a good idea to have your car stocked with quick emergency supplies. This means everything from an extra set of batteries to non-perishable snacks for the kids.  In the dead of winter, it is also wise to carry a candle & matches just in case you get caught in a freak snow storm – yes, I’m talking to you Calgary!   Another wonderful, compact solutions is an emergency survival blanket.  You can find these in specialty camping stores or your local hardware store. The help you retain heat and are compact and easy to carry.

Keeping your car well organized and full of supplies that you might need in a pinch is important. We do not have a console in the front seat of the car so I needed to improvise and figure out a way to keep things neat and tidy. I chose a large bin that is deep and can be easy to remove. Being able to remove it means that when it gets all disorganized and cluttered (again), I can just pull it out of the van and then go through it and wash the container. It is easy to discard things that are not needed but you must also keep a few things around.

First and foremost, you need to do a thorough cleaning of your vehicle. When we cleared the van of one of the bucket seats, we also cleared out: all the garbage, went through all the seat pockets, seat organizers, nooks and crannies inside the doors and in the car.

As I re-organized my tote, I added easy to grab snacks and juice boxes for the kids. You don’t really have to worry about these if they freeze. If you kept water in a container or pop you run the risk that the containers may burst. Juice boxes can be frozen without them spilling. Packing these few snacks saves me a ton of money. Kids are always hungry and sometimes, you just need a small snack to tie them over until you get home for dinner! I also tend to get hungry when we are running around so I make sure I have something for me too.

I have another small IKEA box that holds supplies: a pen, post-it notes, hand lotion, gum or mints, toothpaste with mini toothbrush, emergency store gift card (in case I need something quickly but I forgot money), small plastic bags and some extra business cards. I usually keep a gift card for a store that might also have a gas station (think Canadian Tire or Loblaw) so that if you happen to be low on gas and you forgot your wallet, you have a small safety net. I also have a 10 bill stashed in my glove compartment for true emergencies (not the “I really want to go to Starbucks” type of emergencies).

A few years ago, I bought this container kit from Eddie Bauer and I have one in each car. It contains:

· a water flask

· a flashlight – with batteries

· an emergency blanket

· a compass /thermometer

· head band & gloves

· disposable hand warmers

· lip balm & hand lotion

· hot chocolate powder. 

I haven’t needed anything yet but you never know when you get caught in a snow storm in Southwestern Ontario!
I am a visual person that likes to see the bigger picture so I still keep paper maps in my car. I keep my maps (in a plastic bag) for the different regions in Ontario and Quebec. If you think of it, if your cell phone dies, how will you find your way home? Maybe if you are stuck in a place you are not familiar with, you have the ability to find the nearest town.

In a small bin that sits on top, I keep a book, an instant camera (you never know what you need to take a picture), a few Cd’s (music, audio books or seminars)… oh and I forgot to put my small accordion receipt holder to file my expense/gas receipts as soon as I get them!

Both bins have enough room to add other items. This keeps the seat and floor space free of clutter.
In the back of the van, I keep an umbrella, a blanket and more recycle bags for groceries.
In the summer, I add a fold up chair for soccer games and a few bottles of water.  Finally, I replenished my box of Kleenex and baby wipes (although I don’t have babies anymore, they are still very useful).  I wiped down the dashboard and clean up the cup holders.  Now, I am all ready to start another week of running around and filling the car with groceries, shopping bags, library books and kids… the stuff that life is made of!

 🥾 Explore: Tours & Experiences
🏡 Where to Stay: Top Accommodations
🚙 Hit the Road: Car Rental Deals
🛫 Get Away: Find Flight Deals
🎒 Shop: Travel Essentials