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Original poster

Does anyone else have an 'Emergency Bag' in the car?............Ideas please?

33 replies

mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2006 15:08

Hi all,
I have only been driving for 6 months, and have often thought that I should have an 'emergency bag' in the boot. What I mean is, things like a blanket, nappies, change of clothes etc.
Thought it would be useful if I broke down or if I decide to stay later when out and about, and not worrying about rushing home because I've run out of something.eg - The other day we drove out for a meal, but forgot ds cup. I do carry a change bag, but only bare essentials.
Looking for ideas of what to put in the bag?

OP posts:
Hausfrau · 14/02/2006 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2006 15:14

I did think that! Had images of finding age 9 month clothes for an 13 month old lol!

OP posts:
enfys · 14/02/2006 15:16

a good first aid kit,thermometer calpol and medicine syringe. also tel numbers of dh at work and dr's etc.

PrettyCandles · 14/02/2006 15:18

In my car boot I have a small holdall with: a first-adi kit, an old army blanket (for warmth), a sheet (for picnics), a handful of nappies, a couple of muslins, a handful of small toys and boardbooks, jumpleads and sunscreens (for windows), some carrierbags.

When pg and as long as breastfeedign afterwards I would keep a large bottle of mineral water in the boot, and a small bottle with sports cap in the front of the car. I never drank from the large bottle, so that the water would remain fresh, and the children learnt quite early to drink from the sports cap.

In the front of the car (under seats or in glovebox or door-pockets) I keep a fire extinguisher, torch, notepad, pens, some more tiny toys, indigestion tablets, a little 'dustbin', chammy, ice-scraper, box of tissues.

All these things have been used at one point or another.

Things like change of clothing, cup and bib, etc I kept in the changing bag - after all, until a certain age you don't step outside your front door without it!

PrettyCandles · 14/02/2006 15:20

Actually I haven't used a fire-extinguisher in the car, but I have in the kitchen, which was what made me decide to have one in the car.

BettySpaghetti · 14/02/2006 15:24

Some emergency food for little ones -unopened packet of biscuits/ricecakes etc. Saved us many a time when stuck in traffic.

Trouble is you can go too far with things and end up with a suitcase of changes of clothes/waterproofs/sunhats/suncreams/nappies/medicines/spades/torches etc and end up with no room for passengers!

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2006 15:26

enfys - never even thought of first aid kit, woops. Prettycandles - you sound so organised! Good tips on the water and the toys, never thought of them. Will drag old travel bag from the attic I think!

OP posts:
Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2006 15:27

Bettyspaghetti - I was wondering where prettycandles was going to sit LOL!

OP posts:
PrettyCandles · 14/02/2006 15:29

Erm...we have an estate car.

But before that we had a Micra - and I carried the same things!

It's amazing how much you can pack away safely in all the little nooks and crannies in a car.

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2006 15:34

Prettycandles, had an image of someone surrounded by stuff and a LO holding a fire extinguisher! I can see you would have lots room in an estate.

We have a seat Ibiza, has quite a deep boot, so should hold a fair amount. Cant fit pushchair in there though..just proves this is my first child and my first car!!

OP posts:
Anchovy · 14/02/2006 15:41

Deffo a couple of old towels. Great for mopping up sick, putting on laps of little ones in case of imminent sickness, wrapping up little ones who are stripped down to nappy because clothes are covered in sick etc etc (spot a theme here). Also a roll of kitchen towel is good for all other kind of spillages.

BettySpaghetti · 14/02/2006 15:42

Our Picasso came with a collapsible box that you can take out of the boot and pull along behind you with its extendable handle -very "trolley dolly" .

We intended to carry emergency stuff in there but when I last looked it had stuff like a kite, a fleece that DS fitted into about 6 months ago, a load of seashells and pebbles, frisbee, a random selection of single gloves, socks and wellies, empty crisp packets,empty Tupperware container etc. Not sure how that would help us out in an emergency

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2006 15:45

Anchovy, I def see a theme! LOL

Betty spaghetti, that sounds cool! I can see you put it to good use! Maybe this thread will inspire you to 'use it properly'!!

OP posts:
Lio · 14/02/2006 15:49

Mostly covered but would recommend a ratty old fleece (similar to Pretty Candles' blanket I guess) in case it is cold when you break down (WHEN! How negative!) and check the batteries in your torch. Super-safe friend has tiny but effective-looking hammer under front seat in case need to break windows when driving into reservoirs ? same person has fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

bluebear · 14/02/2006 17:58

We have a foil blanket in a little pouch (get them from camping stores), and a big big torch..also a first aid kit - have kids' snacks in the door pockets in the front and a bottle of water and a couple of muslins..floor of car is littered with various toys/books.

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 15/02/2006 11:20

bump!

OP posts:
KBear · 15/02/2006 11:39

Lio - PMSL at "Super-safe friend has tiny but effective-looking hammer under front seat in case need to break windows when driving into reservoirs"

I strive to be this organised!

madmarchhare · 15/02/2006 11:44

lol @ driving into reservoirs.

My friends always has something to wee in.

Marina · 15/02/2006 11:48

Weeing in = Tommee Tippee potette and liners. Good for all ages although I have never used it myself
Bivi-bags (like foil blankets) a good idea too, they fold down tiny.
We have those microfibre towels as they also absorb loads and pack down small.

SorenLorensen · 15/02/2006 11:54

We have a travel potty and I've used that myself. Needs must...

madmarchhare · 15/02/2006 11:56

My friend got caught out in a traffic jam and went in her sandwich box, hence always having something now.

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 15/02/2006 12:00

Madmarchhare! Lol!
My Sister had to use an old sandwich box when we were stuck in traffic on Family holiday. She was about 6 at the time!

OP posts:
KBear · 15/02/2006 13:06

Marina - where did you get the microfibre towels - looking for something like that to reduce the load when we go camping. Are they bath towel size?

Marina · 15/02/2006 13:11

Millets and Field and Trek do the larger sizes, but how they pitch it is because of absorbency, you don't NEED what we would think of as full bath size. So they dry you but not cover you up. Tbh the biggest one we have is large hand-towel size IMO. But it rocks!
Tchibo do them sometimes KBear - there is a branch in Bromley.

KBear · 15/02/2006 13:16

ta Marina - will investigate....

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