Driver Safety - Know Your Vehicle Emergency Kit
Languages: English
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: Your employees can encounter many different types of emergencies while they're driving, so it's important that they're familiar with and prepared to use the contents of their vehicle emergency kit. This is especially true for tools that can pose a risk for both the driver and vehicle, like jumper cables and scissor jacks. In this subject, learners are taught what they should have in their vehicle's emergency kit and how to properly use the tools in it, so they stay safe if their vehicle breaks down, they get caught in bad weather, are in an accident, or encounter an emergency road closure.
Languages: English
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: Your employees can encounter many different types of emergencies while they're driving, so it's important that they're familiar with and prepared to use the contents of their vehicle emergency kit. This is especially true for tools that can pose a risk for both the driver and vehicle, like jumper cables and scissor jacks. In this subject, learners are taught what they should have in their vehicle's emergency kit and how to properly use the tools in it, so they stay safe if their vehicle breaks down, they get caught in bad weather, are in an accident, or encounter an emergency road closure.
Languages: English
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: Your employees can encounter many different types of emergencies while they're driving, so it's important that they're familiar with and prepared to use the contents of their vehicle emergency kit. This is especially true for tools that can pose a risk for both the driver and vehicle, like jumper cables and scissor jacks. In this subject, learners are taught what they should have in their vehicle's emergency kit and how to properly use the tools in it, so they stay safe if their vehicle breaks down, they get caught in bad weather, are in an accident, or encounter an emergency road closure.
Topics
What to Keep in Your Vehicle Emergency Kit
-
To make sure you’re prepared for different emergencies that you may face on the road, it’s important that you have a vehicle emergency kit. While they can be bought, you’ll need to add items to complete it, like non-perishable food and water. You may also need to add items during specific seasons, especially winter. Being prepared can help make sure you, your passengers, and other drivers stay safe in the event of a roadside emergency.
-
Questions (level 1, 2, 3)
Video module
-
This topic is currently available in English.
-
Keep non-perishable food, like energy and granola bars, as well as bottled water in your vehicle in case something happens and you get stranded.
Your kit should contain light sources, like a flashlight and extra batteries, or a wind-up flashlight, as well as road flares and reflective triangles to help you see and be seen by others.
Keep a few blankets in your vehicle emergency kit. They can be fabric or emergency reflective blankets.
Have a whistle in your emergency vehicle kit so you can attract attention, especially if you’re in trouble.
In the winter, make sure to add extra clothing, boots, and blankets to your vehicle emergency kit to help keep you warm and dry if you get stuck.
In the winter, keep a shovel, extra windshield washer fluid, as well as sand or cat litter for traction in case your vehicle gets stuck.
Make sure you have jumper cables, a scissor jack, a spare tire, a small toolkit, and some tow rope to help you with any vehicle troubles.
Keep a small fire extinguisher in your kit in case of a fire.
Make sure your vehicle emergency kit contains a first aid kit so you can treat minor or major injuries until emergency medical services arrive.
Review your vehicle emergency kit twice a year to replace expired items and replenish any supplies so you’re prepared for emergencies.
How to Use Jumper Cables
-
Jumper cables are an essential tool in an emergency vehicle kit and knowing how to properly use them is just as important. In this topic, you’ll learn how to connect and disconnect them to safely charge a dead battery in a vehicle.
-
Questions (level 1, 2, 3)
Video module
-
This topic is currently available in English.
-
Before jumpstarting a vehicle, inspect the battery. Make sure it’s not cracked or leaking any fluid. If it is damaged, do not attempt to jumpstart it, call a tow truck or roadside assistance.
Before using jumper cables, both vehicles should be turned off, parked, and not touching.
When using jumper cables, it’s critical that you don’t let any of the clamps touch each other once any of them have been connected to the live battery. It can cause a spark and you could get shocked.
To start the battery boosting process, clip one positive clamp, which is usually red, to the positive terminal on the dead battery, which is usually labeled with a plus sign. Then attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal on the battery of the vehicle giving the boost.
Once both positive clamps are attached, connect a negative clamp, which is usually black, to the negative terminal on the battery of the vehicle giving the boost. The negative terminal is usually labeled with a minus sign.
The final negative clamp must be attached to an unpainted metal surface on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery, like a steel nut, bolt, or bracket. This acts as a grounding spot for the jumper cables. Do not attach it to the battery as it could cause an explosion.
After all the clamps are connected, ensure the clamps are connected to the right places and that they are secure, so they don’t become disconnected during the charging process.
Start the engine of the car with the working battery and let it idle for at least two minutes. Then start the car with the dead battery.
Let both vehicles idle for at least two minutes so the dead battery recharges.
Once the engine of the car with the dead battery has turned on, you need to remove the jumper cables in the reverse order of how they were put on.
Keep the vehicle with the former dead battery running for at least 15 minutes to recharge the battery to prevent it from dying again.
How to Use a Scissor Jack
-
A scissor jack is typically found in most vehicles and can be used to change a flat tire. This topic teaches you the basics of safely using one to lift and lower the vehicle in the event of a tire emergency.
-
Questions (level 1, 2, 3)
Video module
-
This topic is currently available in English.
-
To use a scissor jack, your vehicle must be on a level paved or concrete surface. Never use a jack on grass or dirt because it’s not stable enough.
Make sure your vehicle’s engine is turned off, that it’s in park, and that the parking brake is on, so that your vehicle is secure before using a car jack.
To make sure your vehicle won’t roll away while you’re using a car jack, place a brick, a piece of wood, or a rock in front of and behind the wheel that’s on the opposite corner of the vehicle from the damaged tire.
Consult the owner’s manual of your vehicle to find out where it’s safe to use a scissor jack on your vehicle.
Once the scissor jack is placed at the right lifting point, insert the handle (if it’s not already attached) and turn it clockwise until the tire is lifted off the ground.
Never go underneath a vehicle if it’s only supported by a scissor jack, as the car could fall on top of you.
To lower the wheel, turn the handle counterclockwise until the wheel is firmly on the ground.