With summer well underway, many people are looking forward to family vacations. While road trips are a fun way to escape the daily grind, they can also be dangerous. Fortunately, many gizmos and gadgets can help keep you and your family safe on the road. From high-tech devices to simple tools, here are a few things you should keep in your car at all times:
1. Life Hammer. For just $15, there’s no reason not to buy this simple tool. This small hammer can break glass with a single tap, allowing you to break free of a car that becomes immersed underwater. It can also cut a seatbelt, allowing you to escape from a wreck.
2. Anti-sleeping Alarm. For people embarking on long road trips or those who travel frequently, this device could be a lifesaver. You strap it to your head and it emits a loud alarm if the angle of your head begins to droop. Preventing you from falling asleep behind the wheel will save you from potentially fatal collisions.
3. Rear-View Camera. Some cars now come standard with these, but you can install an after-market version as well. The camera will turn on automatically whenever you reverse and show whatever is behind your car, making it easy to avoid potential blind spots. Installing this device should also reduce the cost of your car insurance.
4. Hands-Free Phone. Distracted driving is more dangerous than drunk driving, and nothing causes more accidents than people making phone calls or texting. Consider installing a hands-free speakerphone into your car to avoid this problem.
5. Windshield Defroster. The standard defogger on your car may take a long time to melt ice or snow from your windshield. If you commute in the winter or drive through icy terrain, it’s a good idea to install a heavier-duty heater to your dash for defrosting icy windshields and melting snow before it accumulates.
6. Tire Pressure Gauge. Maintaining proper tire pressure prevents dangerous blowouts and improves your fuel economy. Tire gauges are cheap to buy and easy to use, and you can pick one up at any automotive store or gas station.
7. Emergency Kit. You can buy a pre-made kit, or you can save yourself some money to assembling one yourself. Be sure it includes car maintenance items like jumper cables and a tire iron, but also include a first-aid kit, signal lights, a blanket and some snacks in case you get stranded.
8. Emergency Phone Charger. Don’t count on your phone to charge off the car’s cigarette lighter; if the car breaks down and your battery dies, you’ll need an alternate way to charge your cell for an emergency. A backup charger is affordable, and you can even buy a hand-crank powered one that will give you charge without needing any batteries or electricity.
9. Fire Extinguisher. You can buy a small fire extinguisher for your car and use it to smother engine fires or other possible chemical fires that water can’t stop.
10. GPS Tracker. If your car doesn’t come with one pre-installed, you can buy an aftermarket GPS navigator and install it into your vehicle. It’ll help you find your way when lost and reduce your chance of getting into an accident while searching for your turn-off. Some GPS programs also help you find and contact local emergency services.
Before you head out on the open road this year, consider getting a few of these life-saving car gadgets. You’ll have greater peace of mind knowing that you and your family will be well equipped for any emergency.
These safety tips were provided by www.GapInsuranceQuotes.org, where you can compare rates to get the best car insurance quotes.