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Keeping Your Vehicle Properly Equipped

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Caregiver in Rancho Cordova CA

As a family caregiver you are likely to spend a considerable amount of time in your vehicle. This is how you get around to make sure that your parent’s needs are met, how you take care of your Caregiver-in-Rancho-Cordova-CAchildren, and how you get to your job. Ensuring that you take proper care of your vehicle is an important step in making sure that that vehicle is ready for you when you need it and minimizes that chances of unforeseen situations going from inconvenient to dangerous. This does not stop, however, just at making sure that your vehicle has gas and following a maintenance schedule. You should also make sure that you have appropriate supplies on hand to address circumstances as they arise so you are better able to get through them with confidence.

 

Some of the supplies that you should have on hand no matter where you are going or what you are doing in your role as a caregiver, a parent, or just yourself include:

  • Spare tire. A flat tire can bring a busy day to a halt and can even be dangerous if not handled quickly and properly. Make sure that you have a spare tire in your vehicle that can be put on in the event of a flat. While many vehicles come equipped with these tires and people tend to put them in when they first start driving them, most people forget to replace them after they use them. This means that the next time there is an issue, a safe replacement will not be available. If you choose to use a “doughnut” tire, be sure that you are familiar with how far such a tire will travel safely so that you know the distance you can go after putting it on before you will need to find a better replacement.
  • Jumper cables. Something as simple as not closing your trunk all the way can run out your battery so that when you try to turn your car on it does not start. Having jumper cables handy mean you can restart that battery and be on your way faster.
  • Water. Water is a necessity in your vehicle for several reasons. The obvious one is that you can drink it whether you just get thirsty in the course of your errands for the day or if the car breaks down and you are stranded by the side of the road for some time. Having clean water in the vehicle also means that you can quickly address an overheating engine by pouring the water into an empty radiator. Water can also be used to clean cuts, burns, and other minor injuries that may occur.
  • Food. Keeping healthy, nutrition-dense, non-perishable food items in the car with you can make an outing far less stressful. These snacks can tame hunger pangs that strike in the middle of the afternoon, help a parent who is dealing with low blood sugar or other medical issues, or provide sustenance in the event of an emergency.
  • First aid kit. You never know what could happen when you are away from home. A first aid kit provides the most basic supplies for handling minor issues such as cuts, splinters, upset stomach, headache, or blisters. Having on in the vehicle means you are always prepared to handle life’s little emergencies.

 

If you or an aging loved one needs caregiver services in Rancho Cordova, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.

 

Jay Bloodsworth
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