Even the most well-maintained vehicles can run into trouble at times, which is why it’s important to always be prepared! We’ve put together a list of eight things you should always keep in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Check them out, and let us know if you would add anything!
1. First Aid Kit
You can make one of these yourself, or you can buy a pre-packaged one. Regardless, it’s important to pack one, so you can take care of yourself or someone else if the need arises.
2. Reflective Triangle
Flares can be dangerous and start fires, and here in California, where we have a problem with that already, we don't want that. So keep a reflective triangle in your vehicle in case you have to warn other cars to use extra caution when passing.
3. Roadside Assistance Card
Your AAA Card or a business card for your trusted, local auto repair shop will work. Keep in mind that waiting for a tow could take a while, so make sure you're prepared with the other things on the list to keep you safe!
4. Gloves
You never know what you're going to have to do or where it's going to happen, so having a pair of gloves in the car can help you stay clean and your hands stay safe if you have to change a tire.
5. Flashlight
Because life isn't always fair, things often go wrong when it's dark. And it's a lot easier to see what's happening when you have some light, so make sure you're prepared by keeping a flashlight in your vehicle. Bonus points if it doesn't run on batteries, so you don't have to worry about those being dead!
6. Jumper Cables
Or jumper batteries! The batteries allow you to jumpstart your vehicle without hooking your car up, and it stays charged up to six months. Both jumper cables and batteries are good options, but it's important to have something so you aren't stuck if you left the lights on or something like that.
7. Fire Extinguisher
If your car catches on fire, this can definitley come in handy. Depending on where you are, it could take the fire department some time to get to where you are, so be prepared by having a small fire extinguisher. It's easy to use and great to have in case of an emergency.
8. Spare Tire
A lot of vehicles these days don’t come with a spare tire, so check to see if yours does. You can either carry a spare, or get a can of Fix a Flat for a much lighter, smaller version! You can temporarily fix it, so you can drive somewhere you can get some help.
It's easy to forget any one of these things until you in a bad situation. Keep yourself, your passengers and your vehicle safe and out of trouble by packing these items up in a kit and sticking it in your vehicle. Hopefully, you won't have to use it at all! But being prepared is always a good thing.
