GEM urges safety-first approach

GEM Motoring Assist is supporting Tyre Safety Month with simple safety reminders in the event of a flat tyre.

Safety officer Neil Worth said, ‘Needing to deal with a flat tyre is inconvenient and quite possibly dangerous, depending on where you have had to stop. So before you start looking for the spare, take a good look at the location and weigh up the potential risks involved. If you are at all concerned, call your recovery operator who will send a trained professional to assist you.

‘If you decide that you’re confident and capable of completing the job yourself, ensure you can see and be seen, so put on a reflective jacket. Have gloves handy, too, as tyres tend to be pretty mucky. A torch is also a very useful tool.

‘Check that there is a safe area for any passengers with you, as they cannot stay in the car while you’re changing a wheel. Once again, if you are concerned about safety, try to ensure you park in a safe place and call for assistance.’

Neil added, ‘The chances are your spare wheel will be one of those small, thin ones that are designed for use at speeds of up to 50mph, so ensure you replace it with a proper size tyre as soon as possible. Of course, the majority of cars these days are sold without a spare wheel, so you will need to use the puncture repair kits that’s carried instead.’