10 Emergency Items You Must Pack in Your Car

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Are you prepared for emergencies on the road? Here are 10 essential items to pack in your car in the event of an emergency.

An emergency car kit is something that all drivers should have. Why? Because emergencies and accidents can happen at any time and any place. Instead of twiddling your thumbs and waiting for help arrive, the following items could help you remedy or improve the situation.

Here's a checklist for 10 essential items that you should pack in your car.

1) First aid box

The most basic emergency item you should have. You can either buy a pre-packed one from a pharmacy or put one together on your own. If your assembling one yourself, make sure it has the following supplies: bandages, band-aids, medical gauze, antiseptic wipes, burn and antiseptic cream, painkillers, allergy tablets, cotton wool and swaps, and saline solution.

2) Snacks and Drinkable Water

If you’re stranded on a highway, you’ll never know how long it’ll take for help to arrive. By packing provisions in your car, you’ll get to satisfy your hunger and thirst until you’re rescued.

3) Portable Spare Charger

We live in an age of smartphones, and most of us will be powerless (pun intended) without it. That is why it’s always useful to keep a portable spare charger in your car. The last thing you want is your smartphone running out of battery when your car breaks down.

4) Fire Extinguisher

Car fires, while uncommon, can happen at any time. Picking one up for your car can be useful when the need arises. If you do decide to buy one, make sure you select one that’s able to deal with petroleum fires. Avoid water extinguishers if possible.

5) Spare Tyre

Every car should have one, as it’s one of the most important items to have in your vehicle. Besides equipping yourself with the knowledge of changing a flat tyre, make sure your spare is still in good condition. Even if it hasn’t been used, it might have degraded time. As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your spare once every five years.

6) Tyre Repair Kit

Fairly new into the automotive world is the tyre repair kit. This handy kit can help you patch a leaking tyre when changing one isn’t an option. They may not be a permanent fix, but they should buy you enough time to send your car to a workshop.

7) Jumper Cables

You wouldn’t want to be caught without jumper cables when your car battery dies. When purchasing one, make sure it’s long enough to connect two cars. They should also have rubber handles for safety.

8) A Multipurpose Tool

Keep a multipurpose tool, like a Swiss army knife, in your car in case of emergencies. It can be used to tighten screws, cut wires and thread, as well as other quick fixes.

9) Seat Belt Cutter and Window Breaker

If you find yourself trapped in your seat after an accident, this emergency tool could save your life. Small and portable, this emergency tool is designed to cut through jammed seat belts and shatter car widows. There are several tools in the market, so buy one that best suits your needs.

10) A Working Torchlight with Spare Batteries

If you get stranded by the road at night, you’ll be grateful to have a working flashlight. Your handphone flashlight could be an alternative, but it usually isn’t as reliable or powerful as a normal flashlight.

What other emergency items should you pack in your car? Tell us in the comments below.

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