An Automotive Gift of Safety
From Boomer & X
People talk about carrying a safety kit in their vehicles. Police and highway safety experts recommend a Roadside Emergency Kit in a vehicle. I wonder how many people have actually made the effort to do so. I wonder how many people’s lives have been saved or kept from injury because they had a safety kit in their car.
Boomer: (Cathy) Melanie, I wanted to surprise you this year with a special gift, but since we are writing our Sweet Connection article, at Holiday gift giving time, I thought I would talk about it now. Hopefully it will give people a chance to add one more thing to their list or give a New Year’s present to a loved one.
X: (Melanie) How exciting. It sounds like you’re giving me a gift certificate for a massage or a new bathrobe. Thank you, thank you.
Boomer: No. I am giving you a Roadside Emergency Kit to keep in your car. It comes in a black water repellent zippered carry case with a fluorescent orange handle and detachable Firs Aid kit. I decided you should receive a gift of safety, which is more critical than a massage or robe.
X: Thank you, I think? You do know I have jumper cables in my car? I also have a pad and pen in my glove box and a disposable camera.
Boomer: The booster cables are good, but I don’t think the pad, pen and disposable camera would be of any assistance if you became stranded somewhere. You might also loose cell phone service, when you need it the most.
X: I don’t travel that far out of the area alone and I keep my tank full of gas at all times; besides we live in a great climate most of the year. I’m not sure other than extra water bottles in my trunk, and knowing where my AAA card is, that I’ve thought about it that much.
Boomer: Who does? What about the father and three children that were missing in California while looking for the perfect Christmas tree in the forest, it was all over the news? Their truck was abandoned on the side of the road in a snowstorm. Maybe if they had a safety kit with some of the contents you will now have, or brought the kit with them, the outcome would have been a little less devastating.
X: Okay, what’s in the kit?
Boomer: The one I bought you is 55 pieces but they sell up to 100 pieces and more and of course based on price, more elaborate and larger. This kit was $35.00 and made by Bell, (safety bike helmets etc.) in Scottsdale. The contents are (1) booster cable, (1) flashlight, (2) D batteries, (10) cable ties, (1) HELP sign, (1) 24’ Tie Down, (1) 2-in-1 Screwdriver, (1) rain Poncho, (1) car care Guide, (1) 35 piece First Aid Kit and some documents to fill out in case of an accident. (you have your camera to take photos of any incident.)
X: Well great, I guess I will throw some granola bars in there, a bottle of water and one of those Emergency survival blankets to keep me warm ; they look like aluminum foil.
Boomer: Great Idea… I think I would like to start a tradition and purchase a kit for each of you children for no reason and add more equipment as time goes on and new products are developed. I would also like to suggest for every new driver a gift of an emergency kit rather than a rhinestone key chain or CD holder. Better yet, it’s a great gift for a grandparent to give their grandchild when they get their first car.
X: Well, I do see how I would spend $35.00 differently, but you do bring up some good points. It doesn’t hurt to have that small carrying case in your trunk or cargo area. I suppose I can bungee cord it to stay in one place, so it isn’t shifting all over.
Boomer: Not necessary with this kit, Velcro bottom, it adheres to any carpeted surface.
X: You know if $35.00 is too much money right now, you could buy the contents yourself and make something similar. Maybe a canvas bag or plastic shoe box and attach it somewhere so it won’t slide. I get your point.
Boomer: Not a glamorous or sexy gift, that’s true, but your safety and well being, means more to me than what’s trendy. Merry Christmas Melanie and I’ll get some granola bars to throw in, a survival blanket and some contact lens solution.
X: Thanks, and if there is still room, I saw a robe at Macy’s that would...
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