The dog days of summer are officially here. While many parts of the country are already on their downward slope towards fall and cooler weather, today is predicted to be our hottest day of the year so far, and tomorrow will be warmer still. If you're like me, you're thankful that you don't live in a climate where the weather affects your driving much. Here in the dry dry desert of the Phoenix Valley, unlike the postman, we don't have to worry about rain or sleet or snow, most of the time. I hear news stories about drivers in other parts of the country needing to pack their trunks with provisions and kitty litter and extra clothes, and...and...and in case they get stuck and stranded in the snow. Because our driving is largely unaffected by our weather, it's easy to forget that we need an emergency kit, too. A search online brought up many kit suggestions that just aren't relevant to our area (I won't be recommending a snow scraper!) so we've put together our own list of hot-climate specific items for an automobile emergency kit.
These recommendations are for in-town driving on highly traveled roads. If you're traveling long distances and/or on remote roads, increase provisions accordingly. This list is intended for the care of you and your passengers. This list is in addition to vehicle related emergency items like a spare tire, tire iron, jack, flares, etc. We assume you have these things already so we have not included them here.
Without further ado, here are Vision Collision's recommendations for 10 items you should keep in your vehicle in case of a roadside breakdown in our hot Phoenix summer heat.
1. Water. Lots and lots of water. Determine how much water you should carry based on how many people regularly travel in your car. An unpleasant situation can quickly become unsafe in our high temperatures. Staying hydrated is the key to keeping your health, sanity, focus, and function in high stress situations.
2. Coolant. An overheating problem is difficult enough to manage in mild weather, but when the environment is working against you, it's practically impossible. Make sure you have a backup in your trunk so that you can keep from seriously damaging your vehicle through overheating.
3. Hat. A hat is important to shield you from the sun if you need to be working on the vehicle or walking for help.
4. Sunscreen. Before you get out of the vehicle to work, wait, or walk, lather up with sunscreen. Your skin will thank you!
5. Flashlight. While this should be in your tools emergency kit already, we included it here because it's also very helpful in desert-specific conditions like a monsoon or haboob, where street light power outages, sheet rain, and/or sand can obscure your vision.
6. Small towel. If you need to kneel on the ground to change a tire, you will need something to lay between your skin and the scorching pavement, which can literally injure and burn your skin.
7. Mylar emergency blanket. It's a misconception that these are only for trapping heat in and keeping warm. These blankets can also be used to reflect the sun away from your body and keep you from overheating. These can be picked up at drugstores or online at retailers such as Amazon.com.
8. Sunglasses or goggles. Sunglasses obviously shield your eyes from glare and harsh UV rays, but eye protection is absolutely vital if you get stuck in a haboob sand storm and need to be outside of your vehicle.
9. Lightweight scarf or bandanna. If you find yourself needing to be outside in the middle of a stand storm, you can use a scarf or bandanna to cover your mouth and face from the harsh sting of the sand, and your lungs from breathing in the dangerous particulates in the air.
10. Umbrella. While umbrellas in Arizona usually serve as harsh reminders of the rain we don't ever get, keeping one in your car can provide you with some quick shade if you need to wait, walk, or work outside while attending to your emergency situation.
UPDATE! Item #11!! We were remiss in neglecting to mention gloves! A good pair of work gloves will protect your hands from the heat of the pavement, tires, metal on your car, and anything else you may need to handle in tending to your emergency.
Did we leave anything off the list? Drop us a line and let us know what you would suggest. Stay safe out there on the roads! Vision Collision Recommends 10 Summer Emergency Kit Items for Desert Drivers-Updated with 11th item
The dog days of summer are officially here. While many parts of the country are already on their downward slope towards fall and cooler weather, today is predicted to be our hottest day of the year so far, and tomorrow will be warmer still. If you're like me, you're thankful that you don't live in a climate where the weather affects your driving much. Here in the dry dry desert of the Phoenix Valley, unlike the postman, we don't have to worry about rain or sleet or snow, most of the time. I hear news stories about drivers in other parts of the country needing to pack their trunks with provisions and kitty litter and extra clothes, and...and...and in case they get stuck and stranded in the snow. Because our driving is largely unaffected by our weather, it's easy to forget that we need an emergency kit, too. A search online brought up many kit suggestions that just aren't relevant to our area (I won't be recommending a snow scraper!) so we've put together our own list of hot-climate specific items for an automobile emergency kit.
These recommendations are for in-town driving on highly traveled roads. If you're traveling long distances and/or on remote roads, increase provisions accordingly. This list is intended for the care of you and your passengers. This list is in addition to vehicle related emergency items like a spare tire, tire iron, jack, flares, etc. We assume you have these things already so we have not included them here.
Without further ado, here are Vision Collision's recommendations for 10 items you should keep in your vehicle in case of a roadside breakdown in our hot Phoenix summer heat.
1. Water. Lots and lots of water. Determine how much water you should carry based on how many people regularly travel in your car. An unpleasant situation can quickly become unsafe in our high temperatures. Staying hydrated is the key to keeping your health, sanity, focus, and function in high stress situations.
2. Coolant. An overheating problem is difficult enough to manage in mild weather, but when the environment is working against you, it's practically impossible. Make sure you have a backup in your trunk so that you can keep from seriously damaging your vehicle through overheating.
3. Hat. A hat is important to shield you from the sun if you need to be working on the vehicle or walking for help.
4. Sunscreen. Before you get out of the vehicle to work, wait, or walk, lather up with sunscreen. Your skin will thank you!
5. Flashlight. While this should be in your tools emergency kit already, we included it here because it's also very helpful in desert-specific conditions like a monsoon or haboob, where street light power outages, sheet rain, and/or sand can obscure your vision.
6. Small towel. If you need to kneel on the ground to change a tire, you will need something to lay between your skin and the scorching pavement, which can literally injure and burn your skin.
7. Mylar emergency blanket. It's a misconception that these are only for trapping heat in and keeping warm. These blankets can also be used to reflect the sun away from your body and keep you from overheating. These can be picked up at drugstores or online at retailers such as Amazon.com.
8. Sunglasses or goggles. Sunglasses obviously shield your eyes from glare and harsh UV rays, but eye protection is absolutely vital if you get stuck in a haboob sand storm and need to be outside of your vehicle.
9. Lightweight scarf or bandanna. If you find yourself needing to be outside in the middle of a stand storm, you can use a scarf or bandanna to cover your mouth and face from the harsh sting of the sand, and your lungs from breathing in the dangerous particulates in the air.
10. Umbrella. While umbrellas in Arizona usually serve as harsh reminders of the rain we don't ever get, keeping one in your car can provide you with some quick shade if you need to wait, walk, or work outside while attending to your emergency situation.
UPDATE! Item #11!! We were remiss in neglecting to mention gloves! A good pair of work gloves will protect your hands from the heat of the pavement, tires, metal on your car, and anything else you may need to handle in tending to your emergency.
Did we leave anything off the list? Drop us a line and let us know what you would suggest. Stay safe out there on the roads! 