Vanlife Safety Kits & Tools you just might need

Sometimes, while you’re out living your best van life, accidents can happen. Whether it be a slip and fall, a cut while cooking or maybe leaving something too close to the heater and it starts to catch fire! What’s important is that you’re prepared to handle any problem that may occur that can put your or your friends and family at risk. We’ll talk about some items that can help keep everyone safe and treat injuries that could otherwise become a big problem. Let’s take a look at some of the most essential items you need to have in your van at all times!

#1 – First Alert Fire Extinguisher | Car Fire Extinguisher, Red, AUTO5

Fire safety should be on the forefront of your mind regardless of your living situation. We use so many different devices that are at risk of catching fire from accidental misuse or malfunction. With that being said, the number one item to have in your van should be a fire extinguisher. Just because you’re living in a compact space with not much room to spare does not mean you should dismiss this as a necessity! That’s why the First Alert Fire Extinguisher is a great item to have, as its compact size means that it can fit conveniently into your van life. Of course, it comes in a standard red color as to always be visible and easy to access. The outside design is made of a very strong material that is corrosion-resistant. It comes with a safety pin to prevent accidental discharge, and the label for the instructions in water proof, meaning it will never fade and will always be legible. Consider getting a small smoke alarm of some kind in case of an emergency while you’re outside the van or if you’re sleeping. Not only that, but it’s good at putting out engine fires as well, so it would serve well if anything were to go wrong with your van’s engine too!

#2 – AOOHOOA Fire Blanket Fiberglass Emergency Fire Safety Blankets

A fire extinguisher isn’t always necessary for every fire. For one thing, they can make a mess and in some cases ruin parts of your van if used. So, in times when the fire might be smaller and more manageable, it may be a better idea to try a fire blanket instead. Not to mention that a fire blanket does not have an expiration date like extinguishers do. These blankets are meant for the early stages of a fire and are not recommended to fight big fires. If the fire is too big, then it’s much safer to use an extinguisher. Regardless of the mess it may leave, it’s better than risking bodily hard to yourself or others! However, the blanket is a great tool to have with you at all times, as it can be used to protect you from fires in addition to putting out smaller ones. If you need to use these blankets, just know that they cannot be reused, as they are ruined after one fire. All you would have to do is completely cover the flame with the blanket and wait until the blanket has smothered the flame. In addition to all the benefits of the fire blanket, it is also very compact so it should fit easily into any space of your van. Just try to keep it somewhere easy to reach in case of an emergency!

#3 – Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 Army 12,000 Strike Fire Starter with Emergency Whistle

While we already mentioned ways to put out fires, it’s just as important to be able to start one at all times! There are numerous reasons for needing a fire right away, and being able to start one right from a tool in your pocket is a great convenience to have. Lighters that use fluid can be costly and can leave you without a means to start a fire in an emergency. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a tool that can manually start a fire without the use of fluids, such as the Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel Fire Starter. Not only can this tool light fires for cooking or staying warm, but it comes with a built-in whistle that you can use to draw attention to yourself in case of an emergency! Its compact design allows you to carry it with you at all times, and comes in a standard black color or an easy to distinguish orange. It’s durable, allowing you to use it for up to 12,000 strikes, which produces a very bright spark for fire-starting or as an emergency signal. It’s important to never be left in the cold without some way to start a fire. It could mean the difference between a night of shivering in the snow versus a night huddled by a warm fire.

#4 – TOUGH-GRID 750lb Paracord/Parachute Cord

There are so many ways in which rope can be a useful tool for you to have around your van. Tough Grid’s 750lb Paracord is a great rated product that is strong enough to suit any of your needs. Having some rope in your van is always a good idea, as you never know when you’ll need it! Just to name a few reasons, rope can be used to tie things down during a particularly heavy wind storm. It can also be used to help build a tent over your van or outside in the rain. Hanging your clothes out to dry on a cord or using the rope to help you carry or drag heavy objects are great uses too! The possibilities are endless, and it won’t take up much space in your van either. Buying a few feet of rope to store away can go a long way to prevent any headaches you may have without it otherwise. Not to mention that this rope comes in many different colors, so you can choose what best suits your needs. Whether that be a bright color to stand out for others to see, or to blend in with your van and just assist in small repairs, Tough Grid has you covered with their high quality and heavy-duty rope!

#5 – Vont 2 Pack LED Camping Lantern, Super Bright Portable Survival Lanterns

Having a flashlight in an emergency is a super essential piece of equipment! Having a way to produce light when you may be out of power or away from your van when it gets dark is a must. The Vont LED Camping Lantern is a great option for its compact size and weather resistant frame. It will function perfectly even if left out in the rain. It will require batteries to use, but it can last up to 90 hours off of one set of batteries! It will illuminate your entire van quite easily for the entire night, and when you’re done with it folds back up into a nice size that can be stored away again for future use. Its solid frame protects it from drops and falling into water, so it’s great to even take with you if you think you may be out after dark. The lantern also comes with a handle on top that you can use to hang it up in your van or carry it with you on the go. It’s a perfect emergency source of light when you need it most, just be sure you have some spare batteries!

#6 – Be Smart Get Prepared 250Piece First Aid Kit

Maybe one of the most important items you could possibly add to this list is a first aid kit. Even if you’re living with a limited space available for storage, a first aid kit should always have a place in your van! It’s also a good idea to get one that has a nice hard case that will protect everything inside. The Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit has 250 pieces inside, including alcohol wipes, bandages, wound gel, burn and antibiotic ointment and several different medications such as aspirin and antacid tablets. It also comes with finger splints, an instruction guide, safety pins, tweezers, scissors and examination gloves. The protective case stands out and is easy to find while also being hard enough to protect your first aid equipment from damage. On top of all that, it actually comes in a pretty compact size, meaning it can easily fit into your small living space. Just having this prepared in your van for emergencies is enough to give you and your loved ones peace of mind. A first aid kit is not exclusive to just households or hospitals, you should always know where one is regardless of where you are or what you’re doing. Even if you don’t think you’ll ever need to use something from this case, it’s better to have it and never need it than to need it and never have it!

#7 – KOSIN Survival Gear, 18 in 1 Emergency Survival Kit, Professional Tactical Defense Equipment

If you’re someone who likes to have a multitude of useful tools all conveniently available to you in one single case, then look no further than the KOSIN Survival Gear Emergency Kit. In this kit you’ll find everything you could think to need in a survival situation. There may come a time when your van leaves you stuck in a place with no access to the amenities you otherwise may need to sustain yourself. Don’t leave yourself stranded without tools, especially those which are affordable and easy to use. This kit includes a compass for navigation, a tactical knife, an emergency blanket, a fire starter, two flashlights, bandages and much more. This kit isn’t just for getting lost in the woods, it’s helpful for if there is any kind of emergency. In the event of a hurricane, flooding or other natural disaster, this kit will help you be prepared while giving you tools to signal for help if needed. It’s compact and light, so you can also take it with you if you plan on traveling somewhere far from your van. This is one of those safety kits you can also put away somewhere and have that peace of mind that it’s there if you need it.

#8 – Spectracide 65865 HG-65865 Wasp & Hornet Killer Aerosol, 20-oz, 2-PK

Some insects are just a general nuisance and present little to no danger, such as mosquitos and flies. It’s very important, however, that you have protection and prevention measures to deal with certain nests that start to form on or near your van. The more dangerous of these nests include Wasps and Hornets. Make sure you stock up on some Spectracide Wasp and Hornet Killer to help you deal with these pests. While you may see videos online of people using methods that involve fire to get rid of these nests, it’s not recommended, as you can start a fire to nearby surroundings, damage your van or cause bodily harm to yourself! The best method is to stay safe and use a product that is made specifically for dealing with these harmful invaders. These cans can spray up to 27 feet, leaving you at a safe distance from the nest and keeping you out of harm’s way. The best time of day for dealing with these nests is at sunset when the insects are at their least active. Also, it’s recommended to deal with the nest after 24 hours once you spray it. Try not to inhale it since it can be harmful to humans as well. You should always have some spray on you to keep new nests from forming and growing into an infestation of your van!

Wrapping Things Up…
Making sure you’re well stocked on safety supplies is essential to keeping you living a safe and healthy van life. The last thing anyone wants to happen is to be out in the middle of a drive or far away from a hospital without the means to treat a wound. Always make sure you have the means to sustain yourself for a few days if your main source of food or shelter becomes unavailable to you. On top of that, make sure you have the tools you need to deal with disasters that may befall you, in or out of your van! Please be sure to be safe while enjoying your van life! Check your emergency supplies often and be sure to have a checklist of all the necessary items to have before leaving on a long trip.