It’s the season of road trips and that means that car safety is a top priority for Canadian families. Michelin has been helping families travel safely in all types of weather for over 120 years and this summer, the company has some handy travel tips for you to keep in mind when you’re planning your family’s next road trip!
1. Tread lightly!
Use the “Penny Test” to see if your tires are in need of replacing. Put the edge of the coin into the tread with the Queen going in head first. If the top of the Queen’s head is covered by tread, that’s good. If the top of her head is entirely visible, it’s time to replace the tire.
2. Have a professional give your car a summer check-up
Summer driving can often be hot and stressful. Getting your vehicle’s major systems before heading out for the long-weekends can help avoid unpleasant surprises on the road.
3. Spare tires go a long way
You never know when you might hit a bump on the road. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and easy to reach.
4. Don’t sleep and steer
Take regular breaks every couple of hours if you need them; stop regularly to stretch your legs. If possible, share the role of driver with someone new at the wheel every three hours.
5. Don’t forget to pack your safety supplies
Planning ahead goes a long way. Always make sure you have extra windshield wiper fluid, a map to help guide your way and road safety kit. Don’t forget extra batteries for the flashlight!
To help make getting ready for that road trip even easier, Michelin sent me a fabulous safety kit full of handy emergency supplies. From a simple first aid kit to candles and matches to a flashlight and fresh batteries, there were all kinds of safety essentials that would come in handy in case of an emergency.
I was especially excited to see that the kit had a set of booster cables. One of the things that I’ve noticed about having booster cables in the car is that they tend to be used to aid somebody else as often as they are used for our own benefit. In my opinion they are one of the most essential items in any car emergency kit and I was happy to have a set neatly tucked into this handy little case.
Michelin wants to help you travel safely this summer too, so the company is very generously offering one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader their own Michelin Car Emergency Kit, a $30 value! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment with one item that should be in a car safety kit.
No matter what type of adventure you have planned this summer, a little preparation can help ensure that you arrive safely at your destination. So take some time to plan out your trip and then get ready to make some memories with your loved ones this summer!
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MrDisco says
July 2, 2013 at 9:59 pmA paper map. Of the world.
Bailey Dexter says
July 2, 2013 at 10:06 pmSnacks & toys for kids!
bina edwards says
July 2, 2013 at 10:07 pmflares
Debbie W says
July 2, 2013 at 10:08 pmroad flares
Carey Hurst says
July 2, 2013 at 10:10 pmIt may seem weird,but there should always be some sort of money , in a car safety kit as well as flashlight, flares, call police sign, emergency blanket. Spare change as well movie whether it be in form of credit card,cash etc. You never know when you may need extra cash and having it readily available and as extra is a great way to keep ahead in an emergency if currency is needed .
Petra S says
July 2, 2013 at 10:11 pmWater – can be used for either yourself or the car, if necessary.
Doris Calvert says
July 2, 2013 at 10:16 pmflash light, water
MyBitsandBleeps says
July 2, 2013 at 10:16 pmAn emergency blanket
Shelley Russell says
July 2, 2013 at 10:16 pmblanket
Kelly Krol says
July 2, 2013 at 10:18 pmCones, flares, emergency blanket, jumper cables
Casey says
July 2, 2013 at 10:19 pmA battery operated cell phone charger. That way if your phone dies, you still can make calls, or let it charge for a little while. Also, everything everyone has said so far is also very good.
Andrea Amy says
July 2, 2013 at 10:21 pmwater, non perishable food (things like canned beans and raviolli and granola bars, crackers, canned fruit), a can opener, flares, flash light, batteries, emergency blankets, in the winter you should always make sure to have proper winter clothes (even if you’re not wearing them at the time)…so mittens, toques, snow pants for the kids etc
Isabel T says
July 2, 2013 at 10:24 pmcandle and lighter or matches. I always put in a thick blanket and extra hats, mitts and scarves.
Anne Taylor says
July 2, 2013 at 10:26 pmjumper cables, flashlight, a jack etc.
Kelly Bouma says
July 2, 2013 at 10:33 pma flashlight
Kelly Krol says
July 2, 2013 at 10:33 pmJumper cables,flares , first aid kit, wet wipes and a CAA Membership is helpful
Alana K says
July 2, 2013 at 10:39 pmWater for sure it can be used for many purposes from drinking to cooling off an overheating car, fuses
Margaret Fehr says
July 2, 2013 at 11:07 pmWater, Food, Booster cables, flashlight, blanket, flares, plus many more items.
amy g says
July 2, 2013 at 11:08 pminstructions for what to do if caught in snow, over flowing water, or ditch
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
July 2, 2013 at 11:35 pmProbably water and snacks 🙂
stacey dempsey says
July 3, 2013 at 2:10 amwater for sure and i think a blanket is a good idea especially in the winter
melanie bonder says
July 3, 2013 at 3:44 amsnacks for kids
Darlene Schuller says
July 3, 2013 at 3:55 amI think tools are important.
lisa R says
July 3, 2013 at 3:56 amwater, snacks, flashlight, blanket .
SueSueper says
July 3, 2013 at 3:57 amFlashlights, blankets, wind up radio those are a few of my favourite things.
🙂
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
July 3, 2013 at 5:36 amflares, a 911 sign to put in window, flashing light, blankets, flashlight, battery operated radio. portable solar charger for phones.
valerie delaney says
July 3, 2013 at 5:46 amWater, flash light, empty metal coffee can with tea light candles & matches.
Crystal Hunter says
July 3, 2013 at 5:51 amroad flares, tire jack, call help sign, shovel, jumper cables, bottled water, flashlight
Lynn g says
July 3, 2013 at 5:53 amA car emergency kit needs a blanket and first aid kit (candles & matches)
Debbie Kennedy says
July 3, 2013 at 5:55 amWaterproof blanket and first aid supplies
Victoria Ess says
July 3, 2013 at 6:37 amwater, jumper cables, a first aid kit.
Shara W says
July 3, 2013 at 6:38 amGranola bars are a great idea or protein bars. If you get stranded you be so glad to have them. Water bottles would be good too but you’d have to rotate them fairly often and not leave them in the heat.
Deanna says
July 3, 2013 at 6:41 amBlanket & water
Monique L. S. says
July 3, 2013 at 6:52 amBlanket and water.
Cindy Nickerson says
July 3, 2013 at 6:57 amjumper cables and car jack.
Marianne says
July 3, 2013 at 7:03 amA blanket, bottled water, a first aid kid, energy bars, booster cables, signalling device.
Mary I says
July 3, 2013 at 7:05 ama hand crank flashlight. Batteries can die on you. wish they had a hand crank cell phone charger.
Lindsay Cyr says
July 3, 2013 at 7:21 amBlankets and water, because you never know when you may need them.
Karine says
July 3, 2013 at 7:34 amBoosters and flashlight
lori butler says
July 3, 2013 at 7:35 amwater ,blanket, extra batteries
angela m says
July 3, 2013 at 7:44 amFlashlight and blanket
Donnas says
July 3, 2013 at 7:57 amI have a blanket as well as tea lights and a lighter.
Emma says
July 3, 2013 at 8:27 amcandy & water – especially we have diabetic in the family
Vesper says
July 3, 2013 at 8:34 amTorch, water, blanket and snacks as a start
Vesper says
July 3, 2013 at 8:36 amno room on form to put in RSS Feed email – meiklesue at yahoo dot com
Jeannie says
July 3, 2013 at 9:29 amA cell phone is very important. It doesn’t have to be activated, but can make calls out to 911.
andie says
July 3, 2013 at 9:44 amFlashlight, blanket, snacks.
Christine Sutor says
July 3, 2013 at 9:49 amJumper cables.
Viv Sluys says
July 3, 2013 at 10:23 amSeatbelt cutter, jack and spare tire, jumper cables
Tanis says
July 3, 2013 at 10:29 amWater, batteries and some food for starters!