Budget-Friendly Tips on How to Prepare Your Vehicle for a Natural Disaster
Driving in inclement weather can be scary, especially if you’re unprepared. Natural disasters such as flooding, avalanches, and blizzards can cause hazardous conditions very quickly, so it’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for anything. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get it right; there are several simple things you can do to ensure preparedness once bad weather comes along. Think about not only how to protect your car but how you’ll stay safe in the event that you’re stuck on the side of the road until help arrives. Below are four budget-friendly ways to get ready for driving in a natural disaster.
Keep Emergency Items in Your Car
You never know what type of disaster might strike while you’re driving, but if you’re prepared with emergency items, such as jumper cables or covers for tire traction, you’ll have peace of mind. So, put together a kit to keep in the trunk or in the bed of your truck that will hold everything you need for changing a tire, getting unstuck, or jump-starting a battery. Keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune on this kit; you can check out sites like Rakuten for coupons, discounts, and cashback offers that will help you stick to a budget. You’ll also want to think about keeping a phone charger in your vehicle, as well as road flares and a first aid kit.
Put Together a Bad-Weather Safety Kit
While you can’t always plan for bad weather, you can ensure your safety and comfort. This is especially important if you live in an area where flooding or large amounts of snow are common during the year. One easy way to prep for inclement weather is to put together a safety kit for your vehicle that holds items you might personally need, such as non-perishable snacks, bottled water, a poncho, thick gloves, a warm hat, and waterproof gaiters. These will protect your ankles and lower legs from the cold and damp, keeping you dry and comfortable in the event that you have to get out of your car. The best gaiters will be durable, warm, and will fit well.
Plan Ahead
You never know what kind of damage might occur to your vehicle, so it’s important to find out what type of insurance you need. Explore your options to determine the most budget-friendly deductible and talk about the details, such as how much you can save with a good driver discount. Make sure you understand what they’ll cover in the event of major damage.
Winterize Your Vehicle
There are plenty of inexpensive ways to winterize your vehicle, and doing so can help prevent a host of issues when you’re on the road. Replacing old windshield wipers, changing the oil, and making sure you have fresh antifreeze and other fluids are all simple steps you can take to keep your car running smoothly when it’s super cold or rainy. It’s also a good idea to clean your headlights; sometimes, they become filmy and need to be removed and washed with special fluid. Make sure you have a sturdy ice scraper in the car as well; this can get you out of a jam pretty quickly, and you can find them pretty cheap online.
Preparing your vehicle for any kind of weather or emergency can help you stay safe and will give you peace of mind when cold weather creeps in. So, talk to your loved ones and make sure they’re as prepared as you are, especially if they’re seniors. Remember that planning around a budget can be tricky, but it is possible.
~ Author: Janice Miller
