10 Items Every Car Emergency Kit Should Have

emergency kit

At times you have to drive your car through rough weather. Or pass through isolated roads for hours.

Most of the time, you would have gotten through and reached your destinations safely.

For other rare occasions, you need to stay prepared.

Often, people get stranded and have to wait for hours before help arrives. If you are well prepared in such situations, it makes a big difference.

Preparedness can also be a game-changer in life and death situations. Car emergency kits are instrumental in your preparedness for such situations.

An emergency kit is a collection of important articles needed when you get stranded. You can buy ready-made kits or assemble your own. These car survival kits are also useful if you meet an accident and help is yet to come. As per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per year, there are 6,000,000 accidents in the US. An emergency kit is useful in these situations.

How to Select Your Car Emergency Kit

There are several factors to consider while choosing/making your kit.

Some of these aspects are:

  • The bag should be robust and water-proof: You should store all the articles in a strong, water-proof bag. Keep it in a safe place where you can reach for it easily.    
  • The weather you will be driving in: Your kit should be as per the weather you drive through. For example, if you drive to cold places, it is better to have blankets and sleeping bags in your kit.
  • Personalizing the kit: It is vital to personalize the kit, so if you or any family member needs specific medication (for example), be sure to keep that in an appropriate, marked-off area.

What to Keep In Your Car Emergency Kit

The actual contents will vary as per the points mentioned in the previous section.

However, here are some of the essential items you should consider in your emergency survival kit.

  • First Aid box: It is the single most important article in your kit. It should have all medical aids to help you survive an accident or harsh weather conditions. Use it when help is on its way. You will need a sturdy box or a small bag to store all articles for first aid. Also, keep a first aid manual handy and learn to use the kit properly. It can be the difference between life and death.
  • Flashlight: A flashlight is useful when you get stranded at night. Also, remember to have a few spare cells in case the ones in the flashlight die out. You could also use a rechargeable light as an alternative.  You can use it during your night outings as well.
  • Tire changing gear: Very handy. Keep a well-inflated spare tire, car wrench, and jack in your car. It is useful when a tire goes flat on the highway. Remember to check the air pressure in the spare tire occasionally.
  • Car repair toolkit: If you know basic car repair, keep a toolbox on hand. Instead of waiting for hours, you can troubleshoot your car and reach the next garage on the road. There are a lot of standard car toolkits available. At times, car manufacturers provide one for free.
  • Jumper cables for dead batteries: keeping a set of jumper cables is useful. If your car battery goes dead, you can ask some passerby to jump-start your car battery from his car battery. You just need a pair of cables to do so.
  • Tow cable: Have a tow cable so that someone can take you to the nearest garage. You don’t have to wait for hours for the mechanic to arrive at your spot. Buy standard tow cables to avoid it from snapping midway.
  • Drinking water: If you drive through hot and dry areas, keep a few water bottles in your car. You would do well to have a few packets of ORS sachets in the kit as well.
  • Fire extinguisher: If you need to drive for hours or in hot conditions, keep a fire extinguisher. It is also helpful during a car accident.
  • Shovels and snow brush: If your area receives heavy snowfall, you could get stuck in it. Keep shovels and snow brushes to get out of any snowstorms.
  • Cell phone charger: Keep an extra cell phone charger or power bank in your kit. Just in case the regular car phone charger dies out.

Being prepared is critical for safe driving.

Are you ready for the unexpected? If no, then make sure to make (or buy) a kit today!

An emergency kit for your car is one of those things you hope you never have to use – but when you do, you’ll be glad you have it. Be prepared for anything by packing a bag with these ten essentials items. From flares and jumper cables to first-aid supplies and a flashlight, this list has everything you need to get through a roadside emergency safely. So, put together your own car emergency kit today – it just might save your life tomorrow.