Items to Keep in Your Car
How prepared are you in the case of car troubles? Aside from your usual car emergency essentials, (like a spare tire, car jack, tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, lug wrench, and owner’s manual), you might want to consider adding a few more items to your car. Here is a list of items I usually keep in my car:
Emergency Cash — Oh no! You were in such a rush to get the kids to school and yourself to work that you didn’t realize you have a flat tire AND you forgot your wallet on the table! Keeping a small amount of money can be invaluable for all kinds of situations (gas, tipping the tow guys or road side assistance).
Flashlight — Similarly, a flash light is utterly important at night when you need to change a flat or check on something underneath your car.
First aid kit — You don’t have to keep an elaborate supply of medical equipment but a small kit of essentials (bandages, burn cream, antibacterial ointment, pain reliever, etc.) can be handy in certain situations.
Spare key — Locking your keys in the car is not unheard of. You can save yourself some money and time by keeping a spare key in a magnetic box tucked away in the frame of your vehicle.
Water in a BPA free bottle — Water can be extremely useful. In situations where you’re stuck somewhere and have to wait awhile for help, it can help quench your thirst.
Non-perishable food — Granola bars, chips and crackers are great food items to keep in your car in case of emergency (or just a snack during a long car drive).
Extra clothes — Warm and comfortable items are the best to have during the fall and winter. This includes shirts (preferably long sleeve), pants or jeans, socks, underwear, shoes and rain jacket. Once you have all your clothes together make sure and put them into a water proof bag, zip lock freeze bag or a high-speed vacuum sealed bag. This way your clothes will be nice and clean.
Gas can — Running out of gas is like locking yourself out of the car. You don’t think too often about it but it does happen. Keep a gas can with a few gallons of gas (during a road trip), enough to get you to the next gas station safely.
Blankets — The temperature will be getting cooler so keep a blanket in your car to keep warm during your drive to work or use it to keep your upholstery clean from debris and spillage.
WD-40 — This can help loosen bolts when changing out your tire. You can even use it to unstick gum from your car! 13+ Amazing Uses for WD-40
Car Charger/ extra battery — Smartphones have significantly cut down our chances of being stranded on the side of the road and getting lost. But since we’re always using our phones, the battery drains too quickly. Keep a car charger or an extra battery in the car in the case your phone runs out of battery when you need help.
Duct tape — If someone hits you and pieces of your car is hanging off, you can temporarily tape it until you get your car to the shop.
There are car emergency kits you can buy with an assortment of supplies. But I personally like to make my own because I know what I already have and what I need. I also like to keep a list of the items I have in the box so in times of emergencies I know what I have and don’t need to panic. All of these items can be stored in a plastic container and tucked away in your trunk.
