When it comes to preparing for an emergency situation, you don’t want to wait until disaster strikes, do you? Of course not. Being unprepared helps no one involved in said disaster, especially on the road, when it’s not always easy to find help.
This is why preparing the best possible emergency kit for your car is an absolute must. Cars break down all the time, for all sorts of reasons (and usually at the worst possible time, in the worst possible location). We know that summer is the season of road trips and freedom, but we’ve prepared an ideal car safety kit for you to take along so you can enjoy that freedom without worry.
- First-aid kit
You should always make sure you have a first aid kit with supplies like band-aids of all sizes, eyewash, antiseptic spray, burn spray, antibiotic ointment, a first aid handbook, tweezers, pain relief tablets, sterile gauze, wire scissors, an ice pack, multipurpose splint, blood stopper compress and more. These items are so important to have on hand in the event of a car accident or other injury.
- Jumper cables
If your car starts showing signs of electrical issues, the problem might be remedied with a simple jump. Proper jumper cables should be at least 10 feet long, should offer you protection from an electrical surge, and be insulated enough for normal wear and tear. Be sure you go for jumper cables that fit top and side post batteries with fully shielded clamps.
- Tow rope
Stuck in some especially thick mud? Pulling you out is easy enough, as long as you have a good tow rope. Professional grade, heavy duty tow ropes can be your best friend in, especially sticky situations.
- Duct tape
A real tape-of-all-trades, duct tape is the temporary fixer-upper you need to have on hand. Duct tape comes in various sizes, colors, and materials to match your specific situation; there is even a heat resistant option that can patch your piping hot car insides! Seriously, what won’t duct tape fix?
- Light source
So what happens if your emergency happens in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere? The moon can only shine so much! You simply never know where you might get stuck, which is why you need to carry a flashlight, lantern, or headlamp so that you can illuminate your situation and figure out how to best proceed, light your path to walk and grab help, or simply flag down other people who may be able to help you.
- Blanket
While a blanket may not seem like the most useful tool, we promise, it is. Do you need to get under your car to check for leaks? A blanket can help shield you from the harsh cement and rocks in the road. If you’re stranded in the winter, a blanket can help keep you warm until someone comes to help. Sometimes, blankets can even help provide a sense of comfort to anyone who might be in shock after an accident.
- Fire extinguisher
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Cars are a big pile of metal, electrical systems, and gas…fires happen. Whether your vehicle experiences a fire because of a short circuit, a gas leak, or an accident, a fire extinguisher is a must that could save your life.
- Reflective triangle
No, reflective triangles are not just for decoration. These helpful tools help communicate to other drivers that there is an emergency ahead. Once the driver realizes what’s happening, they will slow down to help you out or at the very least, to not cause any more damage to the situation.
- Portable charger
What’s worse than being stranded? Being stranded with no way to call for help. You should always, always have a portable phone charger available. There are also portable outlets that you can plug into your car should you need to plug in a laptop charger or another larger device.
- Multipurpose utility tool
Just like there’s no way to predict what your emergency situation might be, there’s no way to predict what tool you’ll need in said situation. Something as simple as a Swiss Army Knife could ensure that you’re never without the tool you need to get your car and your life back on track.
Are there any other items you’d put in your emergency roadside kit? Let us know!
