At Emergency
5 Items to Include in Your Car Emergency Kit

We spend a lot of time in our cars. From commuting to chauffeuring kids to and from activities, our cars have become our second homes. The main purpose of our cars is to get us from point A to point B, but sometimes incidents happen, the weather is bad, and all of a sudden we are stuck on the side of the road. Don’t leave yourself and your car unprotected—put together a car emergency kit to keep in your car at all times. 

In this article, we share: 

  • Why you need a car emergency kit
  • The items that you should keep in your car emergency kit
  • Basic car safety tips
  • How to maintain your car emergency kit
  • Where to keep your car emergency kit

Why You Need a Car Emergency Kit

In case of a roadside emergency, make sure to have an emergency car kit with supplies to sustain you. While on the open road, anything can happen, ranging from flat tires and mechanical problems to natural disasters to accidents. If your car requires minor repairs or troubleshooting, then it’s important to have the tools to fix it safely. With a car emergency, it’s crucial to be prepared for accidents and have the ability to call for help. When it comes to weather problems, it’s critical to have an emergency kit containing basic supplies, first aid, and a small food survival kit to provide nourishment in the case of being stranded. Once you have organized your tool kit, keep it in the trunk where it won’t be disturbed and won’t take up extra room. Just don’t forget to check on items that could expire, such as batteries. 

What to Put in the Emergency Car Kit

Tools and Car Parts for Small Repairs 

We recommend keeping a number of tools and car parts for small repairs in your car, such as:

Most of these supplies you might already have in your garage. But, if you don’t, we recommend purchasing an all-in-one car kit. We like the BLIKZONE 82- Pc Auto Roadside Assistance Emergency Essentials Digital Car Kit or the EVERLIT Roadside Assistance Kit.

How Do I Maintain My Car Emergency Kit?

You want to check the expiration dates on any food kits. Medical kits generally tend to last long, but some first aid medicine can expire. It’s a good idea to check the kit on the first of every year or a memorable preset date. When you go through the tool kits, look and make sure nothing has been damaged or rusted. If you have removed anything, then replace them. If you can’t remember what goes in the emergency kit, try making a list and then match up the items. 

Where Should I Store My Emergency Car Kit? 

Most people put the kit in their trunks in a box or storage container. It’s wise to keep it away from the inside of your car because you might have kids or curious people in your vehicle at some point. If people are rifling through your emergency kit, there’s a chance they could misplace something. In the event of a real emergency, this could be a serious issue. Therefore, we definitely suggest putting it in the trunk and using a plastic container or small bin to keep it from weather exposure when the trunk is open.

First Aid Supplies 

If stranded on the side of the road in your vehicle, there is a chance that you could be injured. You might have been in an accident, or gotten minor cuts and scratches from doing repairs. Here are a few first aid supplies we suggest keeping in your car:

  • A standard-issue first aid kit with antibiotics, bandages, etc. 
  • Special use items such as anti-itch cream, anti-nausea medication, antacids, Aspirin, etc.
  • An extra dose of any prescription medications you or family members currently take 
  • Extra menstrual products

We recommend MyMedic 10 Essentials Kit or the MyMedic Solo Basic Kit.   

EVERLIT: Emergency car kit
$64.95
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Items for Weather Protection

We have briefly touched on some equipment to show where you are on the road when it’s low visibility or dark on the road. There’s more to consider, such as extreme snow and rain. We suggest keeping the following items on hand for weather protection:

  • Ice scraper 
  • Boots and gloves (in addition to hand warmers)
  • Extra blankets for warmth
  • A rain poncho and umbrella 
  • A thermos and radio (by bringing your own radio, you can save your car battery and monitor traffic/road closures to track the storm)
  • Collapsible snow shovel 
  • Sand or kitty litter to help with traction if you become stuck in a drift

Other Essentials 

In the present day, there is one huge factor that can help you in a car emergency that was not an option for the majority of the public even twenty-five years ago: cell phones. While there is always the off-chance that you can lose control of your car and have an emergency in a dead zone, there’s a chance that your phone is still connected. Even if you are far away from help, you can phone AAA, emergency services, or a loved one to help you. In the event that your phone dies, we do have an idea about how to fix that.

You should keep a portable cellphone charger in the vehicle. There are chargers that are battery operated or use a USB port that retains the charge for a long time. Keep one of these handy, then you will have access to help. 

Ready to build your car emergency kit? Shop for all the items you need today on the Batten Marketplace.