5709-B Denton Hwy
Haltom City, TX 76148
LICENSED | CERTIFIED - VSF LICENSE #0536827VSF - TRUCK CERT. #0000037359
Blog Layout
Be Prepared for a Roadside Emergency
Admin • Jul 08, 2018
You never know when your car is going to break down or when your vehicle is going to get stuck in some rough terrain like mud. Being prepared for such an emergency is key to staying safe while you wait for your towing truck to arrive.
Here is a list of items you should always have in your car in the event of an emergency. You will also learn how to react in the event your vehicle breaks down or you are stranded away from home.
1. Vehicle Repair Items
Never leave home without working jumper cables, a jack, and the tools required to change a tire. Even if no other vehicle is nearby to assist you in jumping your car when the battery dies, you’ll be prepared when the tow truck or any other vehicle arrives.
2. Visibility Items
If you are stranded at night or in a hard-to-find area, you need to be able to make your car visible to passersby and your towing service. Invest in road flares (to light in an emergency), a flashlight with spare batteries, and roadside cones to block off your car and keep other motorists from accidentally hitting your vehicle.
3. Food/Beverage Items
Always keep non-perishable food items, such as jerky, granola bars, and protein bars, in your vehicle. You should also keep gallon or two of distilled water in your trunk (for drinking and to use in an emergency if your car overheats).
4. First Aid Kit
Keep a small first aid kit in your vehicle for easy access (in the event that getting out of your vehicle is unsafe). A first aid kit should be stored under a seat or in a back seat pocket, rather than in the trunk. First aid kits should include:
- Allergy medication
- Antibacterial cream/wipes
- Aspirin or other pain reliever
- Bandages
- Gauze/wraps
- Medical scissors
- Safety pins
You can buy a pre-packaged first aid kit for your vehicle or custom-make one based on your family's medical needs.
5. Cell Phone, Map, or GPS
Keep an emergency cell phone in your car in case yours loses service or runs out of battery. This cell phone should have a charger and be charged regularly. All cell phones are able to call for emergency services even if they are out of a service area.
A map of the US and a GPS (a portable unit used for hunting or hiking is fine) should also be kept in your car. If you get lost, you will be able to use these items to get help to you.
What to Do If Stranded
As soon as you realize your vehicle is stalled or stuck, try to maneuver your car as far away from the main road as possible (to avoid being struck by other drivers). If you are on wild terrain, the opposite is true: you want to be as close to a road as possible for visibility purposes.
Call emergency services for assistance (they will guide you to a towing service). Turn your car off to preserve fuel unless you need to turn the vehicle on for heat or air conditioning.
Turn on your hazard lights, hang a white or bright item of clothing out your window, or press the panic button on your car keys to make your car visible. Do not get out of your vehicle if you're in an unsafe place (still on a busy road or stuck in mud or water), and lock your doors. If you have children in the car, do not let them unbuckle their seat belts.
Being prepared for an emergency while on the road helps make any stranded-vehicle situation less frightening. Call us at AA Wrecker Service for all your towing or vehicle emergency needs today.
Your vehicle can break down at any place and at any time. Learn about some of the main reasons why cars might suddenly break down.
In this blog post, we will discuss mud recovery and how a towing service can help you out of a sticky situation. Click to read more.
This article will walk you through how a car gets recycled, from the moment it is towed away to when its parts are ready for a new life. Read on.
Experienced towing companies have several tactics to ensure damage-free tows. Look at three common techniques professional towing companies employ.
Many drivers are unaware that you can take steps to ease the transaction between the tow driver and yourself. Learn more in this blog.
Your vehicle can break down at any place and at any time. Learn about some of the main reasons why cars might suddenly break down.
Vehicle breakdowns can happen any time. In these cases, a reliable towing service can be a lifesaver. Discover the benefits of a qualified towing service.
You can count on a tow truck or a wrecker to help you. Discover the differences between a tow truck and a wrecker to help you make an informed decision.
Towing doesn’t come at a fixed rate. Read this blog to learn about many of the factors that influence the cost of towing a vehicle.
Car lockouts are annoying and can inconvenience you when you least expect them. Learn what causes them and how you can prevent them.
