10 Essential Items to Keep in Your Car Emergency Kit

You never know when a car emergency kit will come in handy. And that’s exactly why clever car owners never drive without one. Here are ten essential items that belong inside your vehicle.

First Aid Kit

Even something as small as a paper cut can become a big nuisance in the car. That’s why first aid kits are an important tool. Standard ones usually contain band aids, gauze pads, disinfectant, medical tape among other basic items. Flashlight and batteries

If you find yourself in a roadside dilemma at night, a simple flashlight can make any task infinitely easier.

Reflective Triangles

If you’re pulled over to the side of the road to fix a flat tire, it can be a dangerous undertaking, especially during times of low visibility. Reflective triangles help alert oncoming traffic to your presence.

Jumper cables

Make sure your jumper cables have heavy-duty clamps and are between an 8 and 6 gauge to handle enough power. And they should be at least 16 feet in length to make it easy to connect cars if you’re unable to park close together.

Tire Pressure Gauge

When changing a flat tire, it’s always smart to check the tire pressure on your spare. Although most cars come with a jack, test to ensure that yours is fully functional.

Bottle of Water and Nonperishable Food

In case of emergency, you might be hungry and/or thirsty. Keep snacks that won’t go bad in the event you’re waiting indefinitely for roadside assistance.

Shovel

While a windshield snow and ice scraper is great, sometimes you need a shovel to literally dig yourself out of a bad situation.

Winter Clothing/Rain Gear

Maybe it wasn’t snowing when you left the house but started just in time for your car to breakdown. Have a hat, scarf, rain gear and a pair of gloves in case you find yourself braving the elements during a roadside emergency. You never know when circumstances will force you outdoors.

Fire Extinguisher

Because car fires don’t usually go out on their own, make sure a fire extinguisher is always on hand. It should be rated to combat the two leading types of vehicle fires, Class B and C. The former concerns blazes caused by flammables like fuel grades. While the latter covers more severe fires related to electrical equipment.

Survival Tools

What falls into this rather broad category? Easy. Stuff like duct tape and a utility knife. Either tool can solve many a vehicular problem.