15 Essential Items to Keep in Your Car’s Emergency Kit

Have you ever had car trouble? It’s awful when you’re sitting in your car, miles away from home, trusting strangers to help you. It might be one of the most hopeless feelings ever, but you’re not alone.

While no one can avoid car problems, having an emergency kit can help you get through it. The following items are crucial for a well-stocked roadside emergency kit. They cannot only keep you comfortable while you wait for help but can also keep you alive.

1. Flashlight or Headlamp

Having some light source is one of the most essential items to keep in your emergency kit. If you were to break down in the middle of the night, you would need light to help attract help, fix a flat tire, and alert you to other cars passing by.

Consider a headlamp that allows you to keep your hands free to work on a repair if you’re stranded and by yourself.

2. Reflective Triangle

Most hardware stores sell reflective triangles, and keeping some in your trunk can help you and your car stay visible on the side of the road.

Place them 10 yards in front and behind your vehicle to help other drivers give you space on the shoulder. They might even help you find a driver who can pull over and help you get back on the road.

3. Heavy-Duty Jumper Cables

One of the most common types of breakdown is a dead battery. The good news is that it is a quick and easy fix. A pair of quality jumper cables and a good samaritan can spark juice into that dead battery and get you to the local auto parts store for a replacement.

These cables fold up nicely and can fit in most compartments. They are one of those items you’ll miss once if don’t have them.

4. First-Aid Kit

God forbid you’re ever injured in an accident, but if you are, having a basic first-aid kit can help save a life while waiting for the EMTs to arrive. You can buy pre-packed kits online, but make sure they have plenty of bandages, gauze, sanitizer, painkillers, splints, tweezers, scissors, and wraps.

Addressing wounds, stabilizing limbs, and stopping bleeding can be vital to keeping you and your passengers comfortable before you receive professional help.

5. Fire Extinguisher

Car fires are terrifying. Having a fire extinguisher handy can not only save your life, but it could save your car. If the fire is spreading fast, and you don’t feel you can put out the flames, it’s best to get as far away from the vehicle as possible.

Car fires can cause explosions, and you want to be in a safe space if that should happen.

6. Water and Non-Perishable Food

What if you’re on a road trip in the middle of nowhere, and your car breaks down? There’s no cell service, and you can’t remember the last time you saw a gas station. You might sit there for some time before someone can help you.

If that’s the case, you want some water and food. Keep a gallon of water and high-protein foods to keep you hydrated and fed. Non-perishable foods include beef jerky, granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, and peanut butter.

7. Multi-Tool

A multi-tool is a nifty gadget that allows you to carry a small toolbox with you at all times. This tool can be used to cut off seat belts, break windows, tighten bolts, strip wires, or open canned goods in your food pack.

They can be purchased for as little as $10 at your local hardware store and can come in handy during dire circumstances.

8. External Power Source

Your cell phone is one of the most resourceful items you will have on you in the event of a breakdown. Not only can you use it to call for help, but its GPS can also help you pinpoint your location. But cell phones only work if they are charged, and a dead battery won’t help you charge a dead phone.

Keep an external charger in your kit, and you’ll always have access to communication. Keep it charged at all times and store it somewhere cool to power your electronics if you become lost or stranded.

9. Flat Tire Kit

Most cars already come equipped with a flat tire kit, but you should check to make sure it’s fully equipped, especially if you bought the car used. The kit should have a spare tire (already inflated), a jack, and a lug wrench.

If you need to change a flat tire, familiarize yourself with how the parts work in the owner’s manual. Also, remember that many spare tires are undersized, and you should avoid high speeds until you the original tire is repaired at a professional shop.

10. Tow Straps

Many people forget to add tow straps to their emergency kits. This can be a big problem if you pull over and find your vehicle stuck in a ditch or soft mud. Instead of waiting for an expensive tow truck to come and rescue you, a friend with a four-wheel-drive truck could pull you out with those straps.

It will also avoid the embarrassment of explaining to the tow truck driver why you decided to pull over in a mud pit.

11. Climate-Control Equipment

If you’re stuck in a remote area, you might have to wait for help. You might also be susceptible to harsh weather, such as heat or extreme cold. If your car won’t start, and you don’t have access to the heater or the A/C, you need something to control the temperature.

A supply of blankets, heat pads, beanies, and gloves can help you in the cold, while a portable fan and sunscreen can help you survive in the summertime heat.

12. Duct Tape

My dad once told me I could use duct tape to fix almost anything in a pinch. While this might not entirely be true, the tape does have many convenient uses.

Some of these uses include patching a tube or container underneath the hood, boarding up a broken window, or reattaching a broken bumper until you get the car to the shop. The possibilities are endless. Keep a roll in your car. You never know when you’ll need to get creative.

13. Battery-Powered Radio

You might not remember what these devices look like because their technology is so outdated, but if you have one lying around, it’s a great addition to your car kit. It’s also great for tuning into the local stations for emergency weather updates.

If power is unavailable, a portable radio is the easiest way to stay updated on local reports or the nearest shelters. They might also provide a little entertainment if you are bored. You can also get radios that are powered by a hand crank, which is great if you don’t have fresh batteries.

14. Road Flares

Road flares can help keep you and your passengers safe if you’re stuck in the middle of the night on a dark road. Place the flares in front and behind your vehicle to alert vehicles to go around you.

Flares also alert emergency services if you’re in a remote area with limited visibility.

15. Portable Jump Starter

We already discussed the benefits of keeping jumper cables on you at all times, but the problem with jumper cables is that you need a second car. That might not always be the case if you are camping in the backwoods. In that case, you need a power source.

A portable jump starter can start your car with its stored power without needing another option. If you’re serious about keeping the most complete emergency car kit, consider investing in one of these power sources.