​​What Should You Carry for Do-It-Yourself Emergencies?​

You are stranded in the middle of the High Desert, miles from a service station or anywhere to safely park, and your vehicle is not running. No one wants to end up in this scenario while on a road trip. We can be better prepared for these situations. If you have the room in your trunk or cargo hold, you could have a DIY emergency kit for your vehicle. What should you have for such a kit?

There are some essential items you should have in a DIY emergency kit. At the top of your list is a first aid kit. It should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and other essentials to handle minor injuries. You may also want to add a snake bite kit, especially for our part of California. You never know what you could encounter when stranded.

Sometimes, your regular 12-volt car battery loses energy. It’s always a good idea to have jumper cables on hand for this emergency scenario. Another option is a portable jump-starting device. It provides ample energy to send back to your regular 12-volt automobile battery.

A flashlight with extra batteries is a great item to have when it is dark outside. You may want to purchase one that hangs from the hood to free up both of your hands for mechanical repairs.

Sometimes, the nearby desert and mountains get cold at night. If you must stay in your vehicle overnight, a sleeping bag and/or blankets could be handy. Water and non-perishable food are other items to keep on hand for long road trips. If stranded, these items could be a real lifesaver.

Flat tires are an occasional consequence of traveling on the road. You must have the right tools if you encounter such an occurrence. Your Toyota should be equipped with a spare tire, jack, and wheel wrench. Some Toyota models may have an electric tire kit for run-flat tires instead of a spare tire. Either of these tools should be in your vehicle just in case.

Where to store your Emergency Kit in your Vehicle
To stay safe when your vehicle is disabled on the side of the road, a set of road flares and/or reflective triangles will help warn oncoming motorists to be cautious around you. When you deploy these items, set them in a sequence and at a distance from your vehicle to protect yourself from oncoming traffic.

So far, all of the items listed for your DIY emergency kit are considered essential for your vehicle. However, you can also add other items that you feel could be very useful. They may be optional, but they could also help you get your vehicle – and yourself – back on the road.

A small fire extinguisher is a valuable item to have in your vehicle. While rare, fires can happen in some situations. A tow strap is another handy tool to keep in your car in case your vehicle is stuck in a ditch or some mud. They are great for off-roaders and overlanders, but they really work for everyone.

A cell phone charger could also be handy. It is easily plugged into your 12-volt port (formerly known as a cigarette lighter) or USB ports and could get you enough juice to call for help.

If you have to make some minor repairs, a multi-tool will come in handy. A roll of duct tape could be convenient for closing leaks on hoses or holding down dangling wires. In a winter situation, an ice scraper does wonders for keeping your windows clear.

If you are away from a cell signal or your GPS is not working, a road map of the area could be crucial. This will help with navigation in those instances.

Lastly, you might want to bring some hygiene items for yourself in case you are stranded for an extended period of time. Pack a bag with some hand sanitizer, sanitation and other hygiene supplies, a change of clothes and shoes, and your medications.

You can get some of these items from various stores, from auto parts depots to your local big box shop, or online. Toyota sells an Emergency Assistance Kit from our parts department. It has most of the essentials you will need, and it fits in the trunk or cargo hold safely.

If you have any questions about being prepared for anything with your Toyota, contact us at Valley Hi Toyota. We are always here to support you and your Toyota ownership.