By Madeline Ciak of Fox 66 - July 3, 2019

With Michigan residents and visitors traveling to holiday destinations for the Fourth of July, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is encouraging motorists to place an emergency preparedness kit in their vehicles.

“Emergency planning is too often overlooked when planning summer travel,” said Capt. Emmitt McGowan, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “If we all take a little extra time planning for emergencies, we’ll have a safer holiday.”

Travel Preparedness Tips: 

• Place a vehicle preparedness kit in your vehicle that includes a hand-crank radio, hand-crank flashlight, cell phone charger, blanket and extra clothes, tire repair kit and pump, flares, jumper cables and a “call police” or “help” sign.
• Know the weather-related emergencies and disasters common to your vacation destination and learn how weather warnings are communicated in the area.
• Monitor the weather forecast along travel routes.
• Have a map and familiarize yourself with the area of your destination. Do not rely on cell phones or computers as your only navigation source.
• Know safe shelter locations and evacuation routes at campgrounds, hotels or resorts.
• Develop an emergency communications plan for everyone traveling in your group and designate an out-of-area emergency contact in case your group is separated.
• Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank above half full. Power outages may prevent you from refueling.
• Download American Red Cross mobile apps to your smart phone. For more information, go towww.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps.

To learn more about being prepared before, during and after an emergency or disaster, follow the MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS or visit www.michigan.gov/miready.