If you break down at 11:30 at night on a lonely, country road, are you prepared?

It doesn't matter if you're a guy or gal, old or young. It is never pleasant to have car trouble when you're on a road trip, particularly if you are alone and are traveling on a desolate road on a cold winter night.

Emergency Preparedness: Essential Items to Keep in Your Vehicle.

It's always a good idea to have some "basics" in your vehicle at all times. Here are 7 must-have items:

	Jumper Cables - Aside from the typical cables that will connect to another vehicle, there are portable emergency stations that include starters, air compressors and other features that will be helpful if you are stranded on a road that is not well travelled (see below).
	Spare Tire and Jack - This is a pretty obvious item to have in your vehicle at all times, and most cars are equipped with spare tires and a jack. When you maintain your tires, check the spare tire to make sure it has enough air in it in case of an emergency. The portable emergency stations can be helpful if you need to inflate a tire -or- having a "can of air" might also come in handy. You shouldn't rely on the canned fix-a-flat products; however, as they can do further damage to your tires.
	Charged Cell Phone - Even if you do not like using a cell phone, it is good to have one in your vehicle in case you need to call for help. You can get some cheap "pay as you go" types of cell phones at most discount stores.
	Water - Having drinkable water on hand is critical, even in wintertime.
	Flashlight - If your car battery dies out, you will definitely want to have a working flashlight in the glove box. Some car emergency kits come with flashers or flares, which also could come in handy.
	Matches and Blanket - You might need to build a fire to stay warm, or at the very least, lock the doors and snuggle up in a blanket. It's not just snow country that gets cold -- At night time, the desert can get cold, too.
	A Gas Can - If you get stranded because of running out of gas, you might want to have a gas container on hand. Having a couple quarts of oil, windshield wiper fluid and other fluids can also come in handy.

Portable Emergency Stations for Cars and Trucks

The portable emergency stations that have a combination jump starter, tire inflator and in some cases, emergency flood light, are a fantastic thing to keep in your car or truck at all times -- especially for those situations where you might find yourself in an area where help may not be immediately available. One thing that you need to be aware of is that you need to periodically charge these units. The last thing you want is to find that your emergency jump start unit won't work because it has a dead battery.

Automotive Emergency Roadside Kits

Emergency roadside kits contain tools that you may need for a quick repair job, but are not "self contained units." For instance, if you need a jump start, the kit includes jumper cables but you will need someone to come along and offer to help you jump start your vehicle. These kits do come with a reflective hazard warning sign which can help other vehicles see you.

Emergency Survival Kits

With a thermal blanket, first aid items, a multi-function tool and other supplies, LifeGear's emergency survival kit is designed to protect two stranded motor vehicle parties for three days. If you are planning a winter trip or a drive to a remote location, a survival kit is a must have.

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