Safe & Sound in Winter: How to Kit Out Your Vehicle

As your 2018 resolution, create an emergency kit for your vehicle. Being prepared for all eventualities will make completing your winter courier jobs much easier.

Still looking for an ideal new year’s resolution? Here’s one of our favourites: creating an emergency kit for your vehicle. I don’t need to remind you that the winter months can make courier jobs pretty tough. Make sure that you’re prepared for every eventuality 2018 can throw at you – whether it’s snowstorms, icy roads or engine failures – by putting together your kit. Not sure where to start? Read on for a list of the essentials.

Medical Supplies

Having a first-aid kit is essential when carrying out courier jobs. You can buy a pre-made one from Boots or your local supermarket – just ensure that it has plasters, bandages, alcohol wipes, baby wipes and maybe some painkillers, too (but remember to read the label and check that you can still drive after consuming them). You can then simply replace items as they get used.

Paperwork

One of the hazards of courier jobs is that harsh weather has the potential to increase your chances of having an accident. Just in case anything happens, it’s always best to keep official documents in your vehicle, enabling you to share your information with others in an emergency. You’ll need:

A copy of your licence
A copy of your National Insurance Number
A copy of your birth certificate
The contact information of your employer and immediate family
It’s also worth keeping a picture of yourself with your name, age, home address and medical records handy so that, in the event of a crash, you can be identified and given appropriate treatment.

Tools

In case you get blocked by road closures or poor driving conditions, it’s worth having a few emergency tools at hand. A topped-up SIM card and an external battery to charge your phone will be useful if you need to make a call. If you are ever stuck, you’ll have a higher chance of being able to get help.

You should also carry a manually-powered torch and a Swiss Army knife. If you ever get stuck while carrying out courier jobs and need to wait for breakdown services, you might appreciate having a battery-powered radio to pass the time, too.

Food

If there’s one thing that you don’t want to forget, it’s water. It might be useful to keep cereal bars and crackers, too.

Attire

Your emergency kit should also include spare clothes to keep you warm and dry. I’d suggest:

Water-proof hiking boots
Fleeced trousers and jumpers
Gloves, hat and scarves
Wool socks and trousers
A raincoat
You could also add a few treats to your kit, such as sweets or chocolate, to keep up your spirits if you do break down. As long as you’ve got the basics listed above,  you’ll be good to go this winter!