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Safety First or a Tribute to Jumper Cables
Answer this: What one item in your vehicle can you not live without? MP3 player? GPS? Sunglasses? Cup holders? Glove compartment? Vanilla-scented air freshener? Fuzzy dice? Heated seats? All good answers.
What about where safety and being prepared in case of emergencies is concerned?
This thought occurred to me the other day as I was turning the key in my car’s ignition and getting no response from the engine in return. Yep, a dead car battery. Anyone else ever face this problem? Didn’t think so.
When I find myself in this situation, as I have many, many, (MANY) times over the years, I head to the place for the one item that has always helped me out. The trunk, where I keep my jumper cables.
I can’t tell you how often I have had to connect those red and black crocodile clips to a car battery to 1) get my own car to an auto mechanic; or 2) help a stranded motorist in need of a jump start get their vehicle going again. I almost feel as though jumper cables were invented especially for me and my car battery “issues,” but according to Merriam-Webster, they have been getting people back on the road since 1926.
Jump-starting my car battery with the cables led to further thinking about additional safety items I should have in my ride. Especially with the winter weather, if something should happen on the road, what I would need in case of emergency. RoadLoans has additional resources throughout this blog and main website.
There are all-inclusive kits available at car parts stores for around $25. They contain most of what you need for traveling, including jumper cables. But if you are in a pinch, here are some items you may already have at home that are worthy of taking up trunk space:
- 2-in-1 screwdriver – Depending on if you need Phillips or regular mode, you’re covered.
- Flashlight with fresh batteries – Always handy, especially if you’re driving at night.
- One roll of duct tape – We all know duct tape can fix about ANYTHING.
- Water – You can buy boxes of emergency drinking water that will stay good up to five years.
- First Aid – Wet wipes/alcohol swabs/bandages
- Space blanket – Keep it in the glove box if you can so it’s easily accessible.
- Empty one gallon gasoline container – Preferably one that’s never been used so the trunk doesn’t smell like fuel.
- Gloves – In case you have to change a tire or deal with greasy auto parts.
The list could go on, but the above items are a great start to prepping for unexpected bumps along the road. As I’ve found over the years with my car battery jumper cables and vehicle tire pressure maintenance it truly pays to be safe and prepared rather than sorry.
Check out some of these buyer resources by Santander Consumer USA and RoadLoans.
Written by:
James Mayfield is the Director of Content at Santander Consumer USA and has been creating content on financial topics for more than 10 years. In addition to writing for the Santander, RoadLoans and Chrysler Capital blog sites, his work has…
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