With road trip and RV season in full swing, thousands of Albertans are headed out to take advantage of the province’s beautiful scenery and world-famous attractions. To that end, providers of car insurance in Alberta stress the importance of having a fully stocked emergency kit with you at all times when you’re on the road, since you never know when you might need one. Help isn’t always close at hand, especially if you’re out in the wilderness or on a remote road in a rural area and need help. In these situations, emergency kits can save your life.
Your Emergency Kit Checklist
Print off this checklist, and use it to put together your emergency kit. A complete, well-stocked emergency kit should always include:
- A felly-stocked first aid kit
- A sharp, retractable utility knife or seat belt cutter that you can use to free a trapped passenger in a life-or-death situation
- Towing rope
- Fire extinguisher
- Jumper cables
- A snow shovel, ice scraper and snow removal brush
- Road salt or sand
- Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
- A jerry can filled with gasoline
- Reflective triangles, road flares or warning lights
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Matches or a lighter
- Candles (and deep metal cans for holding lit candles)
- A whistle or noisemaker for attracting attention
- Blankets, spare clothing and spare footwear (boots are best for year-round use)
- Non-perishable food (energy bars, canned fruit and vegetables, etc.)
- Drinking water, stored in metal containers or plastic bottles that will not shatter if frozen (be sure to replace drinking water at least semi-annually, if not seasonally)
- Provincial road maps
Personal safety experts also recommend keeping copies of important identification documents in your kit, in case your originals are damaged or lost. If you or anyone travelling with you needs prescription drugs to manage a medical condition, it’s also a good idea to buy extra stores of these medicines and keep them on hand.
Finally, remember that you might not be able to get cell phone reception in a remote area. That’s why it’s also a good idea to have some cash on hand, including small bills and change, in case you need to use a coin-operated telephone, or pay for a tow truck or taxicab.
Be Safe on the Road This Summer
You can reduce your risk of being in an accident by being a safer, more aware driver. First, always keep an eye open for emergency vehicles, and know how to safely respond if you encounter one. Also, avoid dangerous driving practices like speeding, distracted driving and following too closely.
Alberta and other provinces are cracking down hard on drivers who use handheld electronic devices behind the wheel. While cell phones and GPS devices have a definite place in road safety, there’s a right way and a wrong way to use them. Don’t take risks or endanger yourself, your passengers and other people on the road by being careless.
Great Service and Low Rates from Lane’s Insurance
If you’re looking for low rates on car insurance in Alberta, trust Lane’s Insurance to deliver excellent value, friendly service and helpful advice that always serves your best interests. Lane’s Insurance is a brokerage, and that means their representatives work for you, not for the insurance companies. You’re guaranteed the best coverage on the market for the most competitive rates you’ll find anywhere, along with value-added service and outstanding claims support.
To learn more, please visit Lane’s Insurance online, or use our quote generator to get a fast, free price estimate on your car insurance in Alberta.
