Emergency Car Kit Checklist. Seriously.

I thought I am just being OC (obsessive-compulsive) because I have the compulsion to stock on stuff in my car — ropes (the knot-tying kind), duck tape, masking tape, double-sided tape, an ice-pick, a sewing kit, alcohol, baby wipes, all sorts of medicines, and hundreds of other odds and ends.

Turns out I am just being a defensive motorist. (Take note that I didn’t say “defensive driver,” although I am that, too!)

In their January-February 2010 issue of DRIVE newsletter, AAP featured their recommended Emergency Car Kit Checklist (page 3). Guess what? Most of the items in their list have already been permanent residents of my car.

Image Credit: www.publicsafety.gc.ca

Here’s AAP’s recommended list:

First Aid Kit
Food. Oh yes, I always have some biscuits or chocolates in the car. No emergency is any bigger than an empty stomach!
Flashlight and Matches. I have a PHILIPS LED weatherproof flashlight, a regular flashlight that is also waterproof, a disposal cigarette lighter (though I don’t smoke), and a portable torch. Beat that!
Cash. I have a coin purse and some secret pockets where I leave some 20-100 peso bills. (Don’t you dare go looking for them.)
Battery-Operated Radio. I have one in the house but it hasn’t changed residence into my car yet. I think this is not very critical now, especially with Smart Phones getting so much smarter. I get the latest news from Twitter on my iPhone, for instance.
Fire Extinguisher. I used to have one. Where’d it go? Should I buy a new one?
Map and Compass. I have two map-books. One for Metro Manila, a permanent resident in my car, and one for the whole Philippines, which I must always remember to bring with me on out-of-town trips.
Ropes and Tapes. Didn’t I tell you already about these?