Here's a few tips:
If you keep this in your trunk and use it 1x every 3 years ... get some cat box absorbant
... the kind that is silica crystals.. They're about $6 for 4 lb or so.... you can use them
over and over plus they can work well all over the house.
Put a bunch in a nylon stocking.. and flatten it and put it inside the case of tools.
Why? - The silica gel will absorb moisture.
The clamps are copper plated steel and moisutre makes the copper just peel off.
While this won't ruin them from working you might as well keep them dry if you
can.
Plus moisture can cause the , possibly copper plated steel wire in the jumper cable..
disgusting huh that they'd use copper plated steel wire. but that's what's in cheap
Cat 5 cable .. and some wiring. It's sad.. but true. Moisture can cause this wire to
corrode badly up inside the casing near the clamp where you can't see it. Carry some
hot amps through it and they might melt. Better safe especially since you can dry out
the silica gel for 1 - 2 hours in a stove heated to about 300F - see wikipedia for details.
The tape - put it into a plastic bag and , silica gel , you can leave it loose or put it in
a tiny nylon carrier pouch made of nylons. Keep the tape dry or it will rot and cause
the adhesive to not work. What's the use of throwing away money? Plus you LEARN
something in the process. Most grocery stores have , sometimes they're blue , but
not always, silica gel cat box crystals.
The other parts / tools you can wipe down heavily with a good coating of either
regular motor oil, 3 in 1 oil, wd40 (not the best choice) and this will keep them
free of rust. If something is rusted then it will not fit where it should.
On the right , top , lid it looks like above the tape area and pliers area there is room
to cut .. with a hot hot hot knife heated on a stove a square where you can place
the nylon bag of silica gel. Don't cut out over the socket or they'll fall out when
the case is moved.
The price is OK. You can do better by buying better quality from Harbor Frieght
and putting everything in a small toolbox where you can keep MORE small tools
like a razor , a razor knife, spare blades.
If you don't have a cell phone ... you can buy one at the thrift store for $5 with charger.
Use it to dial 911.. Even if you have a 16 year old .. and don't want them to have a
cell phone at least buy them the $5 one. It will call the local Sheriff or Highway patrol
with 911 and they will gladly <=== transfer your call to your auto service. They don't
want stranded cars on the highway. So you get a free call and the cost is 0.00.
The best defense is a good offense. Keep your battery clean. Keep your car well
maintained by simply LOOKING at it. You'll spot trouble if you do this. Then
do something about it. Low tire? Fill it or you'll waste $100 or more plus save
a life if you flip your car when it blows.
Seat belts? wear them. We have lots of people here in Calif regularly die because
they were ejected from a car that has seat belts. Click and live. Except for them it
was better they didn't I suppose.
Gloves. It looks like they have some - But at Harbor Freight look at their Nitrile
Gloves in a size which fits you. They come in big sizes enough for a big hand.
And small hands. They're about 10c / pair in 100 pack. Worth every penny. Contact
dermatitis is real and you can't get rid of it. Chemicals and even just dirt and dust in
our chemical laden environment exacerbate skin conditions. Wear gloves. The nitrile
gloves, unlike latex, won't cause irritation and they last about 10x longer than any
latex glove. They can be washed, kept in a damp bag and will be good over and
over. They do not rot.
Flashlight. Use an LED , good, <=== flashlight with either lithium , like CR123 or
another lithium cell. Alkaline cells die in time. NiMH don't last more than 2 months
without a charge. Lithium cells are the only way to go. You can use an LED flashlight
for signalling if you're lost or need to let someone know you're on the side of the road.
Reflectors - you can make your own for $5 or so. Buy some regular reflectors for
bicycles or anything similar. Put it on any kind of strong magnet and you can either
attach it to your car - if it's not aluminum or plastic. Make plenty of them. If you
want to use your own flashlight to illuminate your own reflectors so cast a doubt in
the mind of a driver so that they slow down and don't squash you.
Or buy a nice set for $15 from any car store, less on sale and maybe less on Amazon.
They fold flat are light and work good. Or you can experiment with flashing RED
LEDs for bicycles. They DO work well if you get a good one. Try to get one that
uses lithium battery. CR123 or AA cells come in lithium now. Some are rechargable
and that is what I recommend you turn to in time when you're ready for the responsibilty
of keeping them charged up.
So while this box is a start .. it's mostly a warning.
1. It's not enough
2. It can be a start to the beginning of safety
3. Safety requires more than spending $10
4. It's a matter of thinking clearly , acting on it, and preparing for things you think up.
If in doubt contact AAA. Sometimes even if you're NOT a member they will help you
with gifts of things to keep you safer.
Ps. If you have to leave your car do not turn on the flashers. They will drain your
battery in 3 hours. You can't get anywhere and back in 3 hours. It' s better to get a
few bicycle flashers and put them in the window so no one steals them and use them
to signal to cars in the night that you have a vehicle beside the road. They will work
well enough.
Remember to get far off the road. Some people are drunk. They can kill you.
The best thing to do is be aware of your surroundings and the time. IF it's 2am
the bars are closing. People leaving had been drinking. If you're on the road
beware. Act as if someone is after you and stay as far away from them as possible
until things clear up.
Hey.. don't forget to enjoy your life.
