Car troubles always seem to come at the worst times, and if you aren’t prepared to deal with them, the situation can go from simply inconvenient to potentially dangerous (and not to mention, expensive, too). So, to keep yourself safe and ready for anything, it’s important to stock your car with essentials that will help you out in a crisis. Simply storing a handful of items in your trunk—and making sure you know how to use them—will equip you to manage unfortunate breakdowns, flat tires, and more. Here are 10 things you should keep in your car at all times to make sure you’re prepared in case of an emergency.
Chargers
Our phones can be one of our most important tools during an emergency, so you’ll want to make sure your car is stocked with chargers to keep you on the grid. In addition to car chargers, it’s also smart to keep a portable charger on hand in case you’re stuck in a situation with low phone charge and a dead car battery.
First-aid kit
A first-aid kit is essential for both mild and major emergencies. If you’re on a long road trip and someone gets a headache, for example, it’s great to have some pain relievers in your kit. In more serious instances, like a car crash, you’ll also want to be sure to have things to clean and disinfect wounds, gauze and bandages, tweezers, and more.
Water and Snacks
If you end up stranded on the side of the road and you aren’t able to get your car back and running on your own, it may be a while before someone can come to help you. So, it’s important to make sure you have what you need to stay hydrated and energized. Store water bottles in a small cooler out of direct sunlight, along with a handful of nonperishable snacks. Things like nuts, dried fruits, and protein bars are good choices for providing sustained energy.
Flashlight
A flashlight is a key part of any emergency preparation kit. If you end up stranded with a flat tire or dead car battery at nighttime, you’ll need a flashlight on hand to work on a solution. Storing a real, old-fashioned flashlight in your car also means you won’t need to rely on your phone’s flashlight, which could waste precious phone battery you need for other purposes. Just be sure to also store an extra set of batteries along with your flashlight to ensure you don’t run out of light. (Keep in mind that if stored in extreme temperatures, batteries may corrode.)
Jump-start supplies
Jumper cables are probably one of the first things that come to mind when thinking about car emergency essentials, so you may already have them on hand. However, it’s not enough to just have them in your trunk; you also need to know how to use, and you need to rely on another car to get your vehicle back up and running.
An alternative to jumper cables is a jump starter, a portable battery device that allows you to jump-start a vehicle without the need for an additional car. It doesn’t hurt to keep both emergency options in your car, and you can always store them with some written instructions on how to use them in case you forget.
Map
We’ve all become pretty reliant on GPS for directions, whether that’s through the car navigation system or a phone app. So, if you’re ever in a situation where neither of these options are available, it’s helpful to have a good old-fashioned map on hand.
Blanket
If your car gets stranded in cold weather, it’s important to make sure that you and the rest of the passengers can stay warm. In addition to keeping a couple standard blankets in your car for winter travel, you’ll also want to have some emergency blankets, which are specifically designed to reflect your body heat and keep you warm.
It’s also smart to keep an extra pair of gloves and other warm winter accessories anytime you’re traveling in cold weather.
Emergency Warning Devices
If you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere at nighttime or in poor weather conditions, emergency warning devices—like flares and reflectors—will help alert others that you’re in need of help. You can use emergency flares to send a signal from farther away and reflectors will provide visibility for nearby drivers and prevent accidents.
Tire Repair Kit
In the case of a flat or punctured tire, make sure your car is equipped with all the tools you need to repair or replace a tire. Knowing how to repair or replace a tire can save you money by keeping you from having to call for help or get towed. Don’t forget a spare tire that can help get you to a tire shop and some written instructions on how to replace a tire.
Traction Aids
In the case of snowy or icy conditions, be sure to stock your car with traction aids that will help to keep you moving. Things like rock salt, sand, and cat litter can all help to get your tires out when you’re stuck on ice or a snowbank.
