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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep a sort of survival kit in the car

128 replies

Soopertooter · 04/02/2019 20:04

I travel alone by car with my three children quite often and I always think I ought to keep some essentials in the car. I think if we were to ever get stuck in mega traffic or breakdown I would be so screwed with three kids under five and a few squashed cereal bars from the bottom of the nappy bag Grin.

Is it OTT to keep food, drinks, blankets, maybe even a pop up tent in case we had to wait on a verge in pouring rain? I tend to imagine worst case scenarios!

If you do have something similar in your car, what do you keep in it?

OP posts:
KinderStars · 04/02/2019 21:23

That's such a good idea! I need to follow suit, thanks for the ideas :)

mathanxiety · 04/02/2019 21:36

Lots of good ideas here.

I keep bottled water and powdered milk, aspirin, plasters, tampons and pads, box of cat litter, protein bars, TP and wipes, magnifying glass to start a fire, a few lighters, empty approved petrol container, fleece blankets and foil blanket, extra wool socks, scarves, hats and gloves, flashlight and batteries, snow broom and scraper plus a small snow shovel, antibac gel, box of tissues, and I keep my rescue inhaler in my bag at all times even though I can't remember the last time I needed it. Also keep my phone fully charged. I reckon I could use my little handbag mirror to flash sos in a pinch.

Peachydream · 04/02/2019 21:39

No YANBU, very sensible.

We spend a lot of time in France & by law you have to carry high viz, first aid kit, spare bulbs, foil blankets etc. In winter we just chuck extra bits in (spare winter coats, blankets, torches, water, socks, boots, peanuts & cereal bars, screen wash, multi charger, tarpaulin)

If we know we are going on a long journey we put a flask of hot water & extra snacks

OlennasWimple · 04/02/2019 21:44

DPs always insisted that we had a blanket, water, food, a map and shovel in the car, along with knowing how to change a tyre. The French (EU?) requirement to have warning triangle, hi vis vests and set of head lamp bulbs isn't silly either.

limitedperiodonly · 04/02/2019 21:56

The French (EU?) requirement to have warning triangle, hi vis vests and set of head lamp bulbs isn't silly either.

It kind of depends where you live and drive.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 04/02/2019 22:00

The only time I have ever been caught out in the car was on a blisteringly hot summer day. Me and the kids were on the way to the zoo and they closed the motorway due to an accident for a couple of hours.

After half an hour or so, a very kind HGV driver came over with a bottle of water and a bag of toffees "For the kiddies". I had to confess to him that we had a mahoosive picnic on board and could probably have lasted a couple of days.

Redpriestandmozart · 04/02/2019 22:03

I keep a bag in the car with pretty much everything mentioned above including travel johns. I also keep a bag ready for the hospital (have a chronic illness so admissions do happen).

Arkos · 04/02/2019 22:07

I drive over the highlands for work...i always have: snow shovel, Hessian sacks and some grit, portapotty after the great traffic jam incident of 2012...i make a hot drink to take, kindle, chargers, some energy bars, water, wellies,blankets and in the winter a sleeping bag, small travel pillow, scrapers and gloves.

flirtygirl · 04/02/2019 22:07

I keep food, drink, water, blankets, coats, chargers, meds in my car. Petrol carrier, torch etc. I also keep a go bag in my house and I'm planning to keep one in the car also.

Go back is camping stuff, food, sleeping bag and things you would need in an emergency.

beela · 04/02/2019 22:14

Huh. I am woefully unprepared.

Almost all the stuff I need is in the cupboard under the stairs (although I have just charity shopped what would have been a brilliant emergency coat 😢) so there's a job for tomorrow.

lampygirl · 04/02/2019 22:15

Am I the only one with snow chains in my boot?

mathanxiety · 04/02/2019 22:29

DD4 reminded me I also keep bungee cords and 20 feet of rope and Benadryl gel for bug bites, plus a can of bug spray.

Vicky1990 · 04/02/2019 22:48

A container of petrol, a very large blanket to cover all of us, and a waterproof sheet to cover us if we have to get out of the car and it's raining.
Also always left hidden under drivers mat at least £20 cash, stopped for petrol one night on M6 to find card readear system was down, cash only.

Vicky1990 · 04/02/2019 22:51

What are travel johns?.

safariboot · 04/02/2019 22:56

I do. Change of clothes (in case mine get puked on or suchlike), bottle of water, snacks, picnic blanket, sleeping bag. Also a first aid kit and miscellaneous car fixing stuff (not that I know much about fixing cars, ahem.)

I slept in my car last week actually (due to housing issues, not getting stranded). Thanks to the sleeping bag it was perfectly snug and warm.

I have an empty petrol can in case I ever need to do the walk of shame to the nearest petrol station, I don't wanna get there and find they have no cans! Keeping a full can in the car really isn't very safe though.

Flapjackninja · 04/02/2019 22:56

You've inspired me OP! Place marking so I can come back and make my own emergency car kit...

worriedunimum · 04/02/2019 23:06

Woolly blanket, space blanket, fa kit ( quite advanced as am first responder) water, cereal bars, tea bags and dried high energy food, wipes, toothbrush and paste, soap, towel. In winter add folding shovel, cat litter, carpet tiles, flask of hot water, more food, waterproof clothes, wellies,

worriedunimum · 04/02/2019 23:09

Oh yes empty fuel can.
Also, when children were small added nappies, wipes, potty with liners and other age related stuff like books, toys etc, etc. Actually still have nappies and bags just in case coutght short on a mway ( it happened once and I was So glad I had them!)

Neverender · 04/02/2019 23:10

You're definitely onto something here. A cyclist was hit by the car in front of me last week and the only thing I had to offer was a yoga mat - he was very grateful not to be lying on the road but it seemed like a pathetic offering!

Weedsnseeds1 · 04/02/2019 23:16

lampygirl no, I keep snow chains in the boot too.
Plus blankets, hi viz, water, cereal bars, cup-a- soup, mug shots, mug, 12v heating element, torch, magnetic flashing lights, grit, folding shovel, walking boots, steel toe cap boots, jump leads, tie rope, de-icer, scraper, screen wipes, screen wash, 1st aid kit, thermal socks and gloves, hand warmers....
I drive huge distances for work and need to be prepared

Weedsnseeds1 · 04/02/2019 23:17

I made boot kits up as Christmas presents a few years ago, not sure if recients ever use them or just thought I was mad!

whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 04/02/2019 23:23

BentNeckLady I could probably live for a month out of all the shit in my handbag

ginghambox · 04/02/2019 23:56

What fucking planet do you people live on.

CallipygianFancier · 05/02/2019 00:01

I've been stuck on closed motorways for 6+ hours a couple of times, not in any real danger, obviously, but it wasn't exactly fun. I think you're being very sensible.

I actually carry one of those army meal pack things in the boot for long journeys in case it happens again. Probably not overly appetising, but if I get to the point of needing it, I'm not going to complain too much.

PositivelyPERF · 05/02/2019 02:24

What fucking planet do you people live on

You must lead an extremely boring life, if you never drive in remote areas or really bad weather. Do you expect everyone else to look after you, if you’re caught out in a serious traffic jam, accident, break down or snow storm.

Seriously, ginghambox What fucking planet do YOU live on?

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