Junk in Your Trunk? Win an Emergency Roadside Kit from State Farm

Have you ever had a car emergency in the winter? According to State Farm® many people driving around with young kids are carrying around a lot of junk in their trunk instead of what they really need – an emergency roadside kit.

Survey by State Farm® and KRC Research, found:

  • Two-thirds of drivers (67 percent) had some sort of “junk” (non-emergency supplies) in their trunk ranging from shoes to toys to used food or drink containers.
  • While nearly all drivers (96 percent) had at least one emergency item in their vehicle, such as a spare tire or jumper cables, a mere five percent carried all the emergency roadside equipment, including: jumper cables, spare tire, hazard triangle/road flares, flashlight, first aid kid, windshield scraper, water, non-perishable food and a blanket.

So here’s what we need to have with us in our cars and some advice from the pros at State Farm on what you should do if you are stranded during winter weather.

car

So, what if you were stuck for a while…would you have what you need in the car with you if the weather was bad?

Last year, the answer to that question for me was a big fat NO, with the exception of a spare tire. And food. I could probably cobble a sad little ensemble of stray food from the car if I had to – not that anyone would want to eat that! But never say never, I saw Cujo.

Last year, I got an emergency kit that I carry in my car at all times and it gives me some peace of mind.

What emergency supplies should we keep in our cars?

According to State Farm:

  • Jumper cables
  • Spare tire
  • Hazard triangle/road flares
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Water
  • Blanket

My two cents on what moms should add to that:

  • A couple of granola bars; and,
  • If your kids are small, applesauce, diapers and wipes.

Advice for Drivers

What should you do if you get stranded in your car in winter weather?

  • Pull off the highway (if possible), turn on your hazard lights and use a road flare or reflectors to signal attention.
  • If you have a cell phone, call 911 and describe your location as precisely as possible. Follow any instructions from the dispatcher.
  • Remain in your vehicle so help can find you.
  • Run your vehicle’s engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm.
  • Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. (I wouldn’t have thought of this!)
  • Don’t waste your vehicle’s battery power. Balance electrical energy needs – lights, heat and radio – with supply.
  • At night, turn on an inside light when you run the engine so help can see you.
  • Keep emergency supplies like road flares, a flashlight, blanket, windshield scraper, jumper cables, spare tire and a first aid kit in your vehicle or trunk at all times.
  • Keep your fuel tank at least ½ full at all times during bad weather.

Win one of three Emergency Roadside Kit from State Farm:

1. Share these safe-drivng tips on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment telling me what’s in the trunk of your car right now.

Must be 18 years of age to enter, contest limited to the continental United States. I will do a random drawing to select a winner. Contest ends 8 pm Friday, January 31st, 2014.

Many thanks to Sate Farm for the tips and roadside kits. Check out State Farm’s® website for tips on Winter Driving Survival.

 Be safe, you guys! We’ve got some precious cargo.

Congrats to the winners: Amy, Jamie (hey, that rhymes!) and Missy!

6 Responses to Junk in Your Trunk? Win an Emergency Roadside Kit from State Farm

  1. Jamie Tuck January 24, 2014 at 2:31 pm #

    A clothes hamper that was purchased 2 weeks ago & I keep forgetting to get it out.

  2. C Arterburn January 27, 2014 at 3:27 pm #

    Bags of items to drop off at goodwill or charity center.

  3. Beth S January 30, 2014 at 9:48 am #

    2 blankets, a HUGE stroller and a collection of earth friendly reusable Trader Joe’s grocery bags.

    Oh and a few things I need to return at stores.

  4. Missy January 30, 2014 at 10:03 am #

    I live in Chicago so this would be awesome! In my trunk is a snow brush, and a laundry basket with a bunch of empty reusable bags.

  5. Angela Fischesser January 30, 2014 at 10:26 am #

    I have a blanket, change of clothes for my son, his 360 bike, snow scraper, soccer balls, toys, bungee cords, flashlight…. way too much stuff! I used to have jumper cables but they got fried and I have not had time to pick up another one. I do have a spare tire but I’d be hard-pressed to be able to change the tire by myself. I seriously believe that ALL girls should be taught some car basics before they get their drivers license. (Boys, too, actually, as I am sure a number of them probably don’t know all they should know.)

  6. Amy January 30, 2014 at 8:37 pm #

    I have a spare tire and some crumbs… that’s about it. Sounds like I need one of these kits!