18 Essential Items That Should Be in Your Car Emergency Kit

Essential Items Every Car Should Have in Their Emergency Kit

Being properly prepared before an emergency situation arises is essential. It’s important for every car to be equipped with some essential items to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Here’s a list of some things that every car should have:

• Jumper Cables: Jumper cables are invaluable for jump starting a car when the battery dies.
• Emergency Roadside Assistance Kit: Be sure to stock your car with an emergency roadside assistance kit that includes items such as flares, a fire extinguisher, a folding shovel, an auto first-aid kit and a tire iron/jack.
• Emergency Flashlight: A good, bright emergency flashlight is invaluable for lighting a tire change in the dark or helping find items that have fallen into the footwell.
• Duct Tape: Duct tape can be used for a variety of tasks, and would be very handy in an emergency.
• Cell Phone Car Charger: A cell phone car charger is essential for keeping your phone powered up in the event of an emergency.
• Multiple Power Sources: Keep items such as jumper cables, a tire jack, and a tire pump in the car to use in case of an emergency.
• Basic Repair Tools: Pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and other basic repair tools can come in handy for roadside repairs.
• Blankets: Blankets are useful for staying warm in the event of a breakdown.
• Gloves & Snow Brush: Gloves and a snow brush are essential for clearing windshields and other vehicle surfaces of ice and snow.
• Rain Gear: Keep a rain jacket, rain boots, and an umbrella in your car in case you get caught in a sudden downpour.
• Drinking Water: It’s important to keep some water in your car in case you get stranded.
• Non-Perishable Food: Non-perishable food items such as protein bars, trail mix, and other snacks are great for keeping energy levels up in case of an emergency.
• Large Trash Bags: Trash bags can be used for a variety of purposes, from collecting rainwater for drinking to collecting any garbage that accumulates in the car.
• First-Aid Kit: A basic first-aid kit is essential for treating minor injuries.
• Spare Tire: A spare tire will be invaluable should you ever get a flat.
• Tire Repair Kit: A tire repair kit comes with sealant and other tools to help repair a flat tire.
• Emergency Radio: An emergency radio will help keep you informed of the latest news and weather information.
• Reflective Roadside Sign: A reflective roadside sign can help alert other drivers to your presence in the event of a breakdown.

By stocking up on these essential items, you can rest assured that you'll be able to handle any emergency situation that may arise during your travels.