What’s in Your Trunk? Are You Prepared?

I’m embarrassed to admit that all I have in my trunk right now is a pair of jumper cables, an extra pair of tennis shoes and a blanket. According to an article in Consumer Reports magazine, my car should be outfitted with a lot more than that to handle emergencies. Here’s what they recommend: hazard triangles, a flashlight, a tow rope, duct tape for emergency repairs, a small shovel and a bag of sand (to get traction if your wheels are spinning), a road assistance membership card, a windshield scraper and hand warmers (if you live where it gets cold).

Based on decades of driving, I think I’d add a rain slicker, a gallon of water and, most important, a first-aid kit. I also like to carry a few extra quarts of oil. Looks like I have some shopping to do!