Items You Should Keep In Your Car In Case Of An Emergency

Whether you drive a smart car or an excursion van, every vehicle should have some sort of emergency kit. Here is a list of items that are important to keep on hand, in case of a road side emergency

Car Jack. Everyone should know how to change a tire and what tools you need to change a tire. You should always have a spare tire, tire iron, lug wrench and a functioning car jack in your car at all times. A can of WD-40 can be useful too.

Jumper Cables. It’s a fact of life: all car batteries die at some point. Whether it happens while you’re in the middle of nowhere, or in the comfort of your own home, it’s always good to have jumper cables in your car. You will not only be able to help yourself, but you may be able to help someone else that has the misfortune of dealing with a dead car battery.

Reflective Triangles. These are especially important when driving at night. If you have to pull over for any type of road side emergency, make sure to have at least one in your vehicle. Three reflective triangles would be your best bet; place 50 feet apart to warn oncoming traffic.

Flashlight. A flashlight can come in handy for anything from changing a tire to jump starting a car, especially at night.

First Aid Kit. Most of our travels are pretty uneventful, but you never know what unexpected situation may arise. Always keep a first aid kit in your car that includes Band-Aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes or ointment & aspirin

Emergency Cell Phone Charger. Almost everyone carries a cell phone now and most of us have a cell phone charger in our vehicle at all times. However, if your car is dead, you won’t be able to charge your phone. For $20, you can purchase an external battery charger that you can bring with you on long trips. Just make sure you charge it before you leave, otherwise it will be useless.

Gas Can. It’s recommended that you don’t keep a full gas can in your car due to its flammable nature. However, keep an empty can in your car (if you have room) in case you do run out of gas and need to transport some from the nearest gas station.

Duct Tape. Probably one of the most forgotten best friends of a roadside emergency and also one of the most useful. Duct tape can be used for anything from temporary repairs to first aid. Seriously. Duct tape is your friend.

Warm Blankets. If you’re stuck in bad weather with a dead car battery, blankets will absolutely come in handy for keeping warm. Perhaps you don’t need to keep a blanket in your car for a quick trip to the grocery store, but for longer travels, a warm blanket or two should always be considered a necessity.

Water. Always, ALWAYS have a few bottles of water in your car. An unopened bottle of water can last for an exorbitantly long amount of time. Just make sure the bottles are strong enough to handle both extreme heat and freezing temperatures.

Even with all the planning in the world, we can’t plan for every type of roadside emergency. Sometimes you need your car towed. For reliable 24-hour towing, call Home Motors Inc at 325-262-4168.