On the road, you can get hit by an unexpected, emergency. And for that, you need to be prepared all the time. You do not want to end up in a sticky situation while driving in the middle of nowhere.
If you are faced with some sort of difficulty, you need to keep a few things in your car at all times, to ensure that your problem becomes ten times easier to solve.
Apart from the obvious things like your car’s owner manual and proof of insurance, here is a list of 12 things that will help you out in a crisis.
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1. First Aid Kit
A car is where most accidents are likely to happen. You are, perhaps, more prone to accidents while you are in your car, than anywhere else during your entire day.
And the first aid kit will be the first and probably only thing you will need if exposed to a minor injury.
Your car may include a prepackaged kit, but be sure you double-check it. You might assemble your kit too if the former is not the case.
Make sure to include bandages, antibiotic cream, gauze, cotton swabs, allergy medicine, and sanitizer in your kit to keep you and the family safe.
2. Water Bottles
Water serves more purposes while you are in your car than just quenching your thirst. Yes, keeping it for drinking is as important of use as any other, but it is needed in many other matters.
Engine overheats? Pour water inside your radiator. Got an oil spill on your clothes? Rinse it with a little amount of water. So don’t forget to pack yourself some water before hitting the road next time.
3. Snacks
A growling stomach makes the crisis even worse than it already is. So to save yourself the frustration of an empty stomach, hoard some snacks inside your car.
Make sure the snacks aren’t too messy and don’t require refrigeration either. For example, things like protein bars, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, cereals, and much more.
Avoid unhealthy eating as much as possible. You can also throw in some MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) in your trunk.
4. Spare Tires And A Jack
A tire getting flat is the most common issue faced by anybody on four wheels. It is most bothersome when it happens to you in the middle of the road, with not many cars around.
So make sure, that you keep a spare tire with you. An additional tire is a fundamental item that you need for this issue.
But at the same time, you also need a car jack, to lift your car, and also a professional tire repair kit to make your tire changing possible. Make sure you know the basics of changing a tire so that you wouldn’t need somebody else to do it when you are traveling alone.
5. The Essential Tool Kit
This tool kit will prove to be a lifesaver when your car breaks down at an unexpected moment, especially when there is no gas station or repair shop in sight.
It includes items such as screwdrivers, pliers, tire gauge, oil, duct tape, brake fluid, antifreeze, and a pocket knife.
6. Tow Strap
Tow straps for cars are essential elements that would help you in case your car breaks down in any secluded place and needs towing. These are elastic strands with large metal hooks at each end to put onto the towing points.
7. Gloves
A pair of gloves is important to exercise hygiene if you need to tend to somebody who is injured.
But at the same time, the thicker gloves are going to protect you from the heat and the chemicals that your hands might have a risk of touching if you are doing some heavy-duty work.
8. Emergency Flares
Sometimes, our car breaks down in the middle of the road. And the blinkers just aren’t enough to make us reasonably visible to the approaching cars.
For the sake of added safety, keep some emergency flares on you, so that you can use them, even when you are parked on the side of the road.
A crowded intersection, a busy highway, or a blind curve, these flares can be used anywhere to warn the drivers of your presence.
9. Car Fire Extinguisher
You will find yourself helpless in case a fire breaks out your car if you don’t keep a mini car fire extinguisher with you. Save yourself the danger and make sure you do keep one.
10. Seasonal Supplies
You never know when you will get hit by stronger than usual weather conditions, so you need to keep things like your umbrella, rain protection gear, or ice scraper with you.
11. Car Escape Tool
You may or may not be faced by any situation where you may need something like a car escape tool, but if you do, then you would desperately wish that you had kept such tools with you.
Things like seatbelt cutter, in case your seatbelt won’t come off, or window breaker if you find yourself locked inside your car.
12. Jumper Cables
Via Autofella.com
I cannot begin to emphasize the importance of jumper cables when it comes to travel. Your car might run out of juice anytime, including jumper cables will make you be able to get out of your difficulty in a short amount of time. Read more a complete guide on how to use jumper cables the right way here.
Make sure you know how to operate them, and if not, let the other person do it. Attach the cables to the terminals of the battery of the other’s car, and make sure you follow the direction manual keenly.
