Vehicle

Vehicle preparedness begins with routine maintenance, useful supplies and a plan for travel disruptions.

Consider who normally travels with you, the routes you use and the conditions you may encounter. Include children, pets and anyone who may need additional assistance.

Review three questions:

• What would we need during a breakdown or unexpected delay?
• How would we contact help and keep household members informed?
• What transportation options could we use if our usual vehicle were unavailable?

Start with what you already have, identify gaps and make improvements that fit your household and budget.

Build a Kit Around Your Household’s Travel Needs

Choose supplies for the people who travel with you, your usual routes and seasonal conditions. Review what is already in your vehicle before purchasing more.

Consider drinking water, suitable food, first-aid supplies, lighting, communication and charging options, and weather-appropriate clothing. Check storage instructions and temperature limits before leaving items in a vehicle.

Keep supplies organized and secured, and review them regularly as household needs and seasons change.

• Evacuation Readiness:  Plan destinations, routes and transportation arrangements before you need to leave. Choose vehicle prepping supplies around household needs, including a first aid kit, blankets, and emergency food and water. Keep essential items accessible and follow local evacuation instructions. 
• Travel Planning and Navigation: Review your route, alternate destinations and available services before departure. Keep navigation tools, including offline maps or printed directions, accessible. Plan fuel or charging stops and share your travel arrangements with a trusted contact. Choose recovery tools only when appropriate for your vehicle, your training and the trip. 
• Weather and Comfort Supplies: Choose the necessary gear for unexpected situations, around your passengers, seasonal conditions and available storage space. Consider blankets, weather-appropriate clothing, rain protection and suitable sleeping supplies. Keep items secured and accessible, and include individual needs such as children’s supplies or pet essentials. 
• Communication Tools: Plan how you will contact household members or request assistance during travel. Compare a two-way radio or satellite communication option with your routes and intended use. Before purchasing, review coverage, power needs, licensing requirements and any subscription costs. Keep important contact numbers and household check-in arrangements available on paper. 
• Maintenance and Roadside Assistance: Review your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and roadside-assistance arrangements before travel. Choose basic tools and repair kits  that match your vehicle and the tasks you know how to perform. Keep your owner’s manual and assistance contact information accessible. 
• Water and Filtration Systems: Include drinking water in your travel supplies, allowing for passengers, pets and possible delays. Review container storage instructions and temperature limits, and replace supplies as directed. If you carry a portable filtration system, review its intended uses, treatment limitations and maintenance requirements before relying on it. 
• Lighting and Charging Supplies: Choose flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, and power banks suited to your travel needs. Include compatible charging cables and review each device’s operating and storage temperature limits. Test equipment regularly, check battery levels before trips and keep supplies secured where they can be reached when needed. 
• Vehicle Safety and Escape Tools: Review your vehicle’s emergency-exit information and discuss household arrangements for requesting help. If you choose security tools such as window breakers, seatbelt cutters, check compatibility with your vehicle and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and use. Evaluate any self-defense items separately, considering appropriate training, secure storage and applicable legal requirements. 
• Documents and Emergency Contacts: Review which travel documents, insurance details and emergency contact numbers you may need. Keep necessary copies organized in a waterproof container and accessible during travel. Limit sensitive information left in an unattended vehicle, and review your records regularly. 
• Fuel and Charging Planning: Include fuel or charging stops in your travel plan and identify alternate locations along your route. Review your vehicle’s expected range, allowing for delays and changing conditions. Before a forecast disruption, check fuel or battery levels and plan transportation alternatives if your usual vehicle becomes unavailable. 
• Equipment Protection Options: If you are considering EMP Shield, review the specific model’s vehicle compatibility, installation instructions, published test documentation and warranty terms. Discuss installation with a qualified automotive professional. Include equipment protection as a separate consideration alongside routine maintenance, travel supplies and alternate transportation arrangements. 

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Build Your Household Transportation and Evacuation Plan

FM-008 — Transportation & Evacuation™ brings illustrated lessons, real family scenarios and printable planning tools together to help you organize destinations, routes, transportation alternatives and household travel needs.

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