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Trunk Prep For A Smooth Ride…….. Load it up and head out…………it’s the great escape! Each and every day for the next few months families all around will plan and take day trips, vacation rides to the shore, mountains and everywhere in between. So, to help make your trips more enjoyable, here’s a list of simple things to keep in your vehicle trunk to insure a safe ride. · Jumper cables- Remember use these with caution, make sure you are familiar with the proper way to hook these up. If using at night, do so with adequate lighting. If you have any doubts on how to hook these up..DON’T …wait until someone arrives that is familiar, like a mechanic. Car electrical current is not something to take a chance with. Improper hook up can cause a shock or explosion! · Water/Anti-freeze/coolant- We suggest you carry a small coolant/anti-freeze bottle and a separate container of plain water. The water can be used for drinking, rinsing hands or items off or in a pinch for the radiator. NEVER open a car radiator when it is hot or under pressure. The contents can cause extreme burns, again, if in doubt wait for a trained mechanic. · Flares or road cones. For many years road flares have been used to warn other motorists of a breakdown. Inexpensive as they are they can cause problems if not used with care. Never light a flare toward your face or body or anyone else’s that’s around you. Be careful of the ground too, look for dried grass, leaves or flammable liquids in the area before lighting and placing the flare down. Perhaps a better alternative are road “cones” Many manufacturers make safety triangles which can be easily set up. Just like those used by over the road truckers, the triangular cones are bright, cheap and can be used for ever. · Duct tape…yes, the long running joke about using duct tape for everything is almost true. Duct tape is cheap and does work for many quick fixes on a car. Temporary hose repair, leaking windows and securing parts are just a few. · Tools- don’t go crazy but a few rudimentary tools like pliers, multi head screw drivers and cutting devices are great tools for quick fixes. If you can afford to, look at some of the multi tools on the market, like the old Swiss army type knives, these modern multi tools have all you’ll need from one handy tool. One tool is much easier to store as well. · Pencil/paper- You’ll never know when you may need to write something down. We suggest a pencil, a pen or marker can and will dry up if stored for a long period of time due to heat. A pencil, even if it breaks can be sharpened (remember that multi tool you have!) · Check your spare tire………NEVER leave for a trip or vacation without a good spare, make sure the tire is holding air, not just good tread. Also make certain you have the jack and lug wrench with any wheel lock key you may need is in the glove compartment or attached to the lug wrench handle. · Store all of these items in a gym bag, duffle bag or plastic container in your trunk. Having them stored properly will save space and insure the items don’t roll around or get damaged while in the trunk. · Cell phone…well here’s a topic of concern. Cell phones are perhaps one of the smartest and safest items you can carry while traveling. NEVER use your phone while attempting to drive your car. We urge you to let a passenger make any needed calls, or if alone pull to a safe location off road, a wide shoulder designed for cars in an emergency. A parking lot is the safest place and at night , try choose a well lit location with plenty of people around if at all possible. When on the road in New Jersey remember we have a statewide 9-1-1 system, try to let the operator know where you are, cell phones are often relayed to the nearest cell tower and not directly to a police station or precinct as are home 9-1-1 calls. Use mile markers on highways or landmarks you observe, be patient, don’t hang up. It is wise to carry an adaptor that allows the phone to use the car lighter port as well, this should insure you have plenty of power for the cell phone. So, enjoy some peace of mind if you’ve prepared your vehicle for road travel, just one less thing to worry about.
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FANWOOD
POLICE 