You never know when you’ll be in a car accident or need help on the road. That’s why every vehicle should be equipped with an emergency kit. To make sure you’re prepared for any situation, here are five things you should always keep in your vehicle emergency kit.
1) Vehicle Safety and Preparation Tools
Cars break down all the time, and until you can get to an auto repair shop, you’ll need some basic vehicle safety tools to get by. Your vehicle emergency kit should always include:
- Warning triangles, road flares, and/or flashing beacons
- A fire extinguisher
- Jumper cables
- A tire plug
- A Swiss army knife
- Duct tape
- An empty gas jug
- Extra fluids
- A towrope
2) Survival and Personal Safety Tools
Car accidents and breakdowns are never fun, but not being prepared for them can make everything worse. To avoid more problems while you’re stranded on the side of the road, make sure to stock your vehicle emergency kit with:
- A first aid kit
- A portable phone charger
- A flashlight and extra batteries
- A list of emergency phone numbers
- Cash
- Pepper spray
If you travel off-road, your kit should also include items such as an emergency radio, sunscreen, bug repellent, a map, a space blanket, and a portable water filter.
3) Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items
Not all roadside emergencies will involve car failure. Sometimes an emergency can be as simple as a bathroom with no toilet paper or bad breath after a fast food lunch. For these situations, it’s a good idea to keep your vehicle emergency kit stocked with:
- A travel toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper and wet wipes
- Trash bags and zipper bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Pads and tampons
- A folding shovel
4) Food and Drink
When planning for a car breakdown, it’s easy to forget your own health over the health of your car. There’s nothing worse than being hungry and thirsty while stranded, so to avoid getting hangry while you wait for help, make sure to stock your vehicle emergency kit with enough food and water for you and your passengers.
Some good nonperishable snacks to keep in your kit include:
- Energy bars
- Trail mix
- Beef jerky
- Crackers
- Dried fruits
- Peanuts and almonds
- Hard candies
5) Entertainment
If you travel with children, another thing you’ll want to plan for is keeping them entertained while you wait to get your car to an auto repair shop. Your vehicle emergency kit should include at least a few entertainment options like:
- Travel-size games
- A deck of cards
- Paper and pencils
- Books and puzzles
The great thing about keeping games and other entertainment in your kit is that they’re not just for emergencies! Long-distance travel can be dull for young passengers, so having these items on hand will make the whole trip more fun for everyone!
In short, having your car break down or getting into a car accident can be stressful, but having a vehicle emergency kit will make your next roadside emergency much easier to deal with. Keep your kit stocked with all these tools (and any other items you might need) and you’ll be ready for any emergency that might come up on your next trip!