emergency supplies in a car

[madame]

HI

I got caught in a 3 hour jam a couple of days and it has made me think about an emergency bag for the car. I already have a first aid kit and warm clothes. I always take food out with me and there are toys in the car.

Any thoughts other than water,torch, blanket,change of clothes for dd....

I've read that cat litter is another thing that is useful to put under the tyres to help them grip if you are stuck in icy conditions. Haven't tried it though! I always mean to put a bag in the boot when the weather turns cold as we live quite high up but always forget.

I usually have a couple of old pram blankets stashed under the seats. They are useful to put round dcs legs in cold and to put over the car seats to stop the buckles getting hot in the summer. Other than that I've got a foot pump, torch and a first-aid kit so I'm slightly organised.

A reflective vest is a good idea in case you break down. In theory I have one in the car, but DH keeps clearing it out when he empties it...

a "postural support cushion" (because I'm ancient)
reflective vests (illegal without them mainland Europe)
crates and heavy-duty carrier bags for shopping (no plastic bags in supermarkets here now either - good thing)
fire extinguisher
torch + batteries
first aid kit
space blankets
kitchen rolls x 2
spare children's vest, pants and socks in plastic bag
wet wipes
Tommee Tippee mobile potty thingy
scented nappy bags
water
maps
notebook and pencil
umbrella
rolls of coins for parking
plastic-backed wool blankets for picnics
wellington boots
a large hammer (because I have a fear of being trapped in the car when its on fire/in a pond and the electric windows have malfunctioned)
spearmint breath fresheners
driving shoes
disposable camera
set of crayons and white A5 cards
a knitted rabbit
assorted bags of mulch and bare-rooted fruit trees ...

Norma - that brings back so many memories! I drove mini's for 10 years and used to carry all the same things you do plus a wheel brace and a sponge for mopping out the front floor pans as they used to fill up when it rained!!!

Ok I don't think I'm as organised as most people but I do fill the car with stuff

Boot - Sun tent(it folds flat), buggy, 2 folding chairs, over the shoulder baby holder/walking thing, 2 headrests (so that the kids seats fit in), first aid kit, couple of bottles of water (for car) rain cover for buggy.

Rest of Car - Wet wipes, tissues, umbrellas, toys, books, travel booster seat, potty, rugs, haynes manual, tapes, odd receipts, elastic bands (from collecting the post and not taking the elastic bands in) book i'm reading, more bottles of water.

I normally manage to take out 1 bag of rubbish each time I clear it out and then a couple of bags of stuff that is no longer needed in it.

I think mine is like a huge handbag and I could never pack light

My car used to be much more full up with stuff but since I've been working from home doing print-finishing I have to collect and deliver boxes of stuff from the factory. I got fed up with having to move armfuls of stuff from the car each time so have been forced to be more tidy!
That's a good point about the reflective vests and I have actually got one in the boot in a bag with my riding hat. The lovely man we used to rent our field from was killed one Christmas eve when his car went into a ditch. Apparently he survived that but was killed by another vehicle that didn't see him in the dark as he searched for help.

chopsterraostingonanopenfire

actually very often i cant fit people (ie adults) in my car! (i also refuse to remove my group 1 car seat and try very hard to avoid moving the (easier to remove and reinstall) group 2 car seat)

It is well known that there is no point me driving cause no one can fit in... sometimes an adult might fit in the front (but only might)

as well as essentials i ahve a LOT of rubbish old magazines and leaflets and receipts and sweet / sandwhich / food wrappers (only I am allowed food in my car) and other stuff

i know someone who insists we should all carry a window hammer and a fire extinguisher, after he watched someone trapped in a car, on fire....

downer, sorry.

I've listed a hammer for that reason among others... but now I think about it ... I can't remember the rules about what you should do if you drive your car in to a pond - a recurrent worry of mine as you can see !

There's a rule about the point at which the water pressure equalizes allowing you to open the doors ....

Sorry not a terribly cheery subject leading up to Christmas but I always worry about car safety at this time of year ... on top of all my general obsessing of course .....