Whether your car breaks down, you get in an accident, or you simply find yourself alone in a parking garage after dark, you want to make sure you have everything you need to stay safe. Here are 6 essentials to keep in your car in case of an emergency.
Phone power bank
If you have a newer phone and its battery lasts for a day or two, you shouldn’t have to worry about this one. But if you have an older phone with a short battery life, you might want to stash a fully-charged power bank in your glove compartment. Having a power bank gives you peace of mind knowing that if you get stranded or have an emergency, you can still call 911, roadside assistance, or a tow truck.
Water & non-perishable food
Stow some non-perishable food items like granola, trail mix, beef jerky, or individual peanut butter packets in your car along with some water bottles or gallon jugs of water. If you break down at a mealtime or have a diabetic or hypoglycemic passenger with you, you’ll be glad you have some food and water on hand!
Warning triangles/lights
Warning triangles, flashlights, and light sticks can really come in handy, particularly if you break down at dusk or after dark. If you’re stuck on the side of the road, other motorists need to be able to see you so that they can avoid hitting you.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Tools
Car Jack
A car jack is another must-have for your car. Car jacks don’t take up a lot of space, so there’s really no reason you shouldn’t have one in your trunk at all times. If your tire blows or there’s a leak under your car, you’ll need a jack in order to raise your car up and see what the problem is.
Socket Set
One of the most useful things to keep in your car is a socket set. If your car breaks down, you will need a socket set to fix it. Just be sure you buy the socket set that is compatible with your vehicle!
Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are another no-brainer item you need to just keep in your car at all times. The likelihood that you won’t need jumper cables at some point in your life is low. A dead battery is a pretty common occurrence.
Pepper spray or self-defense key chain
While we would hope you are never the victim of a carjacking or an assault, it’s best to be prepared for these scenarios and have what you need to defend yourself. Pepper spray, personal safety alarms, and self-defense key chains take up little-to-no space in your car or on your keyring and are well worth the investment.
First aid kit
One of the most (if not the most) important items every vehicle should have is a good first aid kit. If your vehicle crashes, having some first aid essentials could save someone’s life. If your passengers have allergies or are prone to car sickness, be sure to also include emergency essentials like epi-pens, Benadryl, and carsickness meds.