As a young mom it never failed, we would be out and about and something unforeseen would occur . There I would be empty handed, not having the equipment that I needed to handle the situation.
I have learned and now I have an emergency box. This box is kept under the seat in the van at all times. So I’m not stuck unprepared. Well at least not until one of the children can figure out how to stump me.
Here is what we keep in our emergency box:
- A roll of paper towels. Perfect for the unexpected mess or meal out.
- Diapers in all current sizes and wipes. That’s obvious.
- Windbreakers/rain coats in all current sizes. Great for east Tennessee weather changes.
- Cups, plates, cutting board, and sharp knife so if we can find a grocery store, we don’t need to settle for fast food.
- Maps
- Phone book
- A change of clothes for some of the smaller children. In the event of impromptu wading or too long a wait for a rest stop.
Being prepared works for me. So tell me what am I forgetting, what do you have in your car?
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Great idea! I love how peaceful being prepared makes me feel.
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How about a first aid kit? Ours has become dismantled and we need to make a new one, but it is very handy to have near.
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Along with the items you listed, I have a roll of TP in a plastic bag to keep it clean, box of Kleenex, non-melting snacks(in other words things without chocolate in them!) and a first aid kit.
Reason behind the TP is one time when I was traveling with my parents as a kid…we ended up stopping at a gas station in the middle of nowhere that was using a port-a john for the restroom and long story short having that roll of TP in the van was a “God-send”! LOL
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Kimberly Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Thanks ladies!
We used to have a roll of TP, but somehow that has not been in the box for a while now. I’ve already sent a child out with it. Since we enjoy hiking and many of the places the we hike do not have any restroom facilities…well, let’s just say that it is very convenient. Great idea to keep it in a plastic bag, never thought of that.
First aid kit is also going to be put in (don’t know why I didn’t think of that, I keep ours in our diaper bag, but the car makes much more sense. As far as snacks, what types of food do you put in the car that won’t go bad? I know that they may stay in there for a long time before we need them.
Thanks again!
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How about things for the car breaking down? Jumper cables, flashlights,seat belt cutters, etc. Go to safetysmart.biz for more ideas.
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I also keep the tp or kleenex handy, as well as tylenol, first aid kit, jumper cables, a stash of spare change (for if your tire gets low n you need air or something of the like), and when mine where smaller I kept a few small toys in lil pull out drawer thing. I think that, and what you said about sums it up. It makes trips soooo much easier when you are prepared.
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When I was a kid we went into the mtns. a lot with our grandparents. Grandma always brought a couple of gallons of water and some paper cups.
As a mother of young children, I used to carry an empty gatorade bottle for one of my boys who had a very weak bladder. Some times it was not safe to pull over and let him “go” on the side of the road.
To this day, I never go anywhere without a jacket for everybody, and sunscreen in the car. I also have wet wipes in there.
As far as snacks go… dried fruit and individualy wrapped granola bars will keep for a long time (nuts get rancid).
Reading your blog today brought back good memories of our time when we took road trips with our family of 9. Make these memories even if it seems like work at the time…you will treasure them later, so will your children!
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Insect repellant! Everything is bigger in Texas…including the mosquitoes.
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We have a small bucket – the, ahem, B___ Bucket, with a few humorous drawings on it – and it has a lid. One time (about 9 years ago) on a long trip we had a little wooden, fold-up potty seat with us, and lots of plastic grocery bags. We lined the potty bowl with double bags. We also have a first aid kit, maps, paper towels, a hand broom, a flyswatter, tool kits, jumper cables, car fluids, and an extra serpentine belt since our van eats those things for some reason…
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Fabreeze! I have had a few times when little ones have been sick in the car. Paper towels, wipes, and extra clothes take care of the clean up but fabreeze takes care of the smell. Wal mart sells a travel size of fabreeze by the registers. However I find the ultra fabreeze works best. You can alwayse buy the big bottle and pour some in a small spray bottle for the car box.
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Hey there,
I have most of the above as well as a bottle of benydryl (which is not in my first aid kit) and a towel, an umbrella (at least 2 actually), cheap ponchos go in sometimes as well, an extra or two pair of socks that can fir multiple kid sizes, bottle water, and an extra blanket for baby and a fleece blanket in the winter for any unexpected break downs in the cold (from my days of living FAR from civilization in the mountains:).
I think that is all….I would have to go recheck my box to see what is in there!
Some items are summer items (like insect repellant) and others are winter and therefore I just renew the box a couple of times a year).
I also try to double up the use of the clothing….plain white or black T-shirts will match a lot of things and I use pants that have elastic at the waist and at the bottm so they can fit more than one size if need be…
Later!
Kim
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Oh yes, and I often have a baby backpack in there for those impromptu walks,etc.
Kim
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i dont think we really prepare our car for anything unless we’re going across states. maybe we should get in the habit.
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as funny and lazy as it sounds….i take a bottle of resolve…anything stains just spray it on there and leave it…comes right up…i always have water and crackers there for the boy as something to pacift and it works
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Feminine products. Sanitary napkins can be used for first aid if necessary since they are so absorbent. Lip balm. An old sheet for picnics. For long drives, small ziploc-type baggies to distribute snacks to the kids from a biggger bag (ie. pretzels). Plastic grocery bags for trash or clothes that have become soiled one way or another. A towel. Hotel sewing kit.
Good ideas everyone! Reminds me I need to swap out clothes and replenish our emergency bag (which will now be a box since I will be adding more items!).
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