Car Emergency Kit Checklist: How to Stock a Car Emergency Kit

A car emergency kit is a packaged stash of materials that aid in roadside assistance and emergency preparedness. An emergency car kit can include materials to help jump-start your car and items for a survival kit, like food and supplies to endure time away from home in emergencies or stormy weather. Motorists can purchase these kits or build one for themselves for peace of mind and preparedness in a case of a dead battery or other unforeseen vehicular problems.

Whether or not you have access to a roadside assistance program, keeping an emergency kit in your car is a good idea. Several items can go into your car safety kit:

1. 1. First aid kit: A first aid kit with ibuprofen, bandaids, tweezers, gauze pads, and other medical materials can help administer pains or wounds.
2. 2. Tool kit: A simple tool kit with various screwdrivers, nails, hammers, and other supplies like scissors, duct tape, or a box cutter can come in handy. Work gloves are also helpful to have.
3. 3. Spare chargers: Having an extra charger for your laptop or cell phone will be helpful if you have to leave home in a hurry and forget to take your chargers with you.
4. 4. Spare tire: This may not be able to fit into your physical kit, but having a spare tire stowed in your car is necessary if you get a flat tire on the road.
5. 5. Road flares: If you are stranded and need to get attention, road flares can help signal your location and invite help to make its way to you. Reflective triangles can also alert passing motorists to your presence on the side of the road.
6. 6. Seatbelt cutter: If your seatbelt gets stuck and you need to vacate your vehicle, this tool will help you cut through the belt. These often dangle from your keychain for easy access.
7. 7. Emergency blanket: If you have to endure cold weather and sleep in your car, a heavy-duty emergency blanket will help keep you safe and warm.
8. 8. Rain poncho: Stay dry and protect your clothing with a poncho in case you have to get outside to change a tire on the side of the road while it’s pouring.
9. 9. Flashlight: An LED flashlight is a must for your kit to help you navigate better at night if you have to get out of your car.
10. 10. Booster cables: These are vital tools in case you need to jump your car—or someone else’s—while on the road. Be sure to stow away your jumper cables in a separate box to prevent damage.
11. 11. Food: Include nonperishable food items that you can eat if you’re stuck waiting on the side of the road for a long period of time. If you travel with a furry friend, pack spare pet food.

If you encounter automotive issues like your car battery dying, you’ll be thankful you put together a roadside emergency kit. Consider the following tips to ease the process of packing a kit:

1. 1. Consider the climate. When packing an emergency kit, assess the weather and road conditions. If snow is possible in your area, equip your winter car with an ice scraper and snow brush. Extra windshield washer fluid can be helpful to clear away rain, snow, and dirt. If you’re traveling in extremely cold or hot weather, pack a tire pressure gauge and inflator to ensure your tires have enough air for optimal traction.
2. 2. Store your kit in an easy-to-access place. You may have a single emergency car kit or a few depending on the size of your car, the climate of your area, and the type of items packed. Regardless, be sure that your bags are accessible, such as under the passenger seat, back seat, or trunk.
3. 3. Replenish your kit as needed. If you eat non-perishable snacks from your kit or use up some supplies, be sure to restock before your next big car trip.
4. 4. Use harder containers. Softer duffle bags will not protect gear and supplies as easily. Use harder casings to ensure the longevity of your kit. This promotes auto safety so that your emergency tools are not damaged in the event of a crash.

Prepare for any outdoor journey by grabbing a MasterClass Annual Membership and committing Jessie Krebs’s wilderness survival course to memory. As a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape instructor, Jessie can teach you everything you need to know about packing for a trip (neon is the new black), purifying water, foraging (crickets: the other white meat), starting a fire, and signaling for help (forget SOS).