This challenge is to organize your car for a more pleasant ride. Yes, we all know that car organization is important, but did you realize that it could save lives, your own life, and your family's life? Here's an article I found from ABC News that talks about an example of what happened in a car accident. Here's a quote from the article,
Jump to:
"Strategic Safety found that everything from luggage to soda cans that were not tied down was responsible for more than 13,000 injuries in accidents nationwide in just one year."
Wow, even objects inside the car can injure you.
To help you organize your car, below are some tips.
Make a list of items you want in your car.
I created this list below to help you. Click on the image and visit the original post. It details all the different items and suggestions on where to place them.
First Aid Kit
Flashlight
Registration card
Insurance card
Pen
Paper or notepad
Wipes
Extra diapers for kids
Paper towel roll
Tissue
Change
Cellphone charger
Tablet charger
Window cleaner
Dashboard cleaner wipes
Umbrella
Kids' card games or conversation games
Water bottles
Emergency car kit
Leatherman or Swiss Army knife
Carpet cleaner bottle
A vacuum cleaner that plugs into lighter
Trash Can
Reusable Grocery bags for Shopping
Then, decide where you are going to place these items.
Ask yourself these questions: When I need it, where would be the most convenient place to have it? Do I need to reach the item? Do my kids need to reach the item easily? Can I place it in the trunk?
Then, decide if the items need to be strapped down.
Ask yourself these questions: Will the item fall with a sudden stop? When I make a turn, will it move left or right? If I go over a bump, will it bounce around?
Then, start putting the items in their new home.
Items like umbrellas are really handy in door pockets. Coins work great in coin dispensers, of course. Having paperwork in one area works best. If you store water bottles in the car, be sure to only store enough for one week or two. In extreme weather, the water may go bad faster.
Note: If you decide to buy organizing products to help you, make sure to read the instructions on how to properly install the unit before using it.
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Here are some great posts from other Professional Organizers. Feel free to check them out as well for more guidance.
An Organizing Makeover for Your Car by Audrey at A Better Space
Staying organized when your car is your office by Karen at Simply Placed
How Do I Organize My Car? by Seana at The Seana Method
Best Products for Organizing Your Car by Stacey at Organized Artistry
Organize Your Car by Deborah at In Order
Well, that's it for now. Best of luck with this car organization challenge. I hope this helps you get your car organized. Stay safe.
Feel free to come back and share your issues while doing this challenge. I am here to help.
Do you have any tips on organizing the car? Please leave a question or comment below.
Regina Sanchez
Great recommendations ... by all!
Nancy Haworth
Great post. I never realized that so many accidents and injuries were related to items not tied down in cars!
Sabrina
It's pretty scary when you think of it. I never realized it either until I searched the topic. Thanks for stopping by, Nancy.
Sarah Buckwalter
This is a helpful topic. There is out a lot of information about organizing your car and my clients definitely need car organization. Especially, living in the mountains. It is so important to have an emergency kit and supplies in your car! I am sharing this with my husband. His car is a mess! 🙂
Linda Samuels
It's great to be prepared in lots of situations. Since we spend so much time in our cars, your handy list of "what to store in car" items is great! As an organizer, I keep extra organizing supplies in my car trunk. As you said, having a place to store everything is also key so that you know where things are and you don't have things flying around in case of an accident.
Sarah Soboleski
Such a helpful list you've included and I love the round-up of additional posts. I think I need to start keeping a trash receptacle in my car given all the snacks my kiddo eats!
Karen
Thanks for sharing this. Like Jamie, I had not thought about loose items being dangerous. It was also helpful that you curated some other posts on the subject for your readers.
Jamie Steele
Great post. I had never thought about loose objects hurting you during a car accident. Luckily, most of my stuff is buckled down. I will definitely be more aware of this when organizing my car.
Natalie Gallagher
I love this list Sabrina, as well as your step-by-step approach. I think people often forget about the benefits of putting everything in its place when it comes to the car
Jill Robson
Very important message Sabrina, that is why I keep all my stuff with the car compartments and I only use packets of tissues that are in all the door wells, that way everyone has easy access.
Sabrina
I totally agree, Jill.
Janet Barclay
I often see people driving around with a dog wandering freely or on the driver's lap, which is very dangerous. According to a study by Kurgo & AAA, an unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of force, and an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately 2400 pounds of force. Scary, right?
Sabrina
Wow, that is scary. Thanks for sharing.
Jill Robson
So true Janet, and you see it all the time, not only are they a force they are a distraction just like cell phones.