Emergency kit in the car

If you have been reading my blogs lately you know I have had ALL KINDS of car trouble lately!  There is nothing worse than being broke down on the side of the road, unless it is being broke down on the side of the road with children!  I have

a AAA card, so all I have to do is call for a tow truck, but you never know how long that may be, or if you do not have a cell phone, are not near a phone, who knows what could happen.  I have an "emergency kit" in my truck.  My husbands uncle gave it to me when he found out I drive alone with the kids, often to far off places.  (Oklahoma 1700 miles from home)  This basic kit contains water pouches, energy bars, matches, flashlight, emergency reflective blankets, small fold out emergency reflectore to mark the car so no one runs into you while you are parked and a first aid kit. It is all contained in a little red bag with a red cross on it.  Great Idea!  But having 3 children, this kit would not be enough, so I have added to it.  Extra water, I keep a gallon in my car, of sealed water.  I dont want to fill up a jug and have it get stagnant.  The cost of a gallon of water is not much, and if you ever need it and do not have it you will wish you spent the few dollars.  I keep a blanket in the back also, it often doubles a picnick blanket, and in the weather we are having now I doubt I will need it, but I dont want to take it out and forget to put it back.  There is 2 cans of Raviolis, I know this is a strange choice, but a man on the news said that it is a high calorie food and that is important.  So raviolis it is!  I have battery jumper cables in a cute little bag, so if I need a jump I have them.  In a perfect world your car always starts, but for me it has not been perfect lately.  I have also been at the grocery store and seen a lady with her hood up, I drove up and asked her if she needed a jump, she said yes, and I had the cables, took me about 2 minutes to get her on her way.  I bet she was gratefull.  I know I do not want to have to pay a tow truck to come and give me a jump start!  If you do decide to carry jumper cables, learn how to use them.  If they are connected wrong it can damage your vehicle!  Always check the positive and negative markings. 

I just want to make sure that if I am stuck in the car with the children, with help not available or far off that my kids will be safe. Also try to stay in the car, it is safer than standing on the side of the road, unless you feel you are in danger by staying in the car.  Then move to a safe place.  If you are able always move your car as far away from traffic as possible.