Car Emergency Kit: 19 Items to Keep in Your Car

Having a car emergency kit is critical to your survival if your car breaks down or if something else happens that leaves you stranded. Many people stockpile things in their homes like first aid supplies and food, but forget about the car. In fact, it’s worse to be stuck in your car without supplies than your house because you don’t have as much shelter as you do at home.

Here’s a comprehensive list of critical supplies that you should keep in your car emergency kit.

1. A Bag or Container to Keep Your Supplies in

The amount of supplies you can store greatly depends on the container you use to store them. The size of your car may also affect how much you can store.

You could use a durable canvas bag that you can carry with you, or a large plastic trunk organizer would make your supplies easily accessible. Whatever you choose, remember the size dictates how many supplies you can stockpile.

2. Jumper Cables

Jumper cables certainly make this list because they are probably one of the most common things people need and often find themselves without. If your car battery dies, then jumper cables can help you get your vehicle started and back on the road–but, you need another car in this scenario. What happens if you’re stranded in a rural place?

Instead of jumper cables, you can buy a portable battery jump starter to keep in your car. These starters are easy to use and work well. Some of them even charge electronic devices, smartphones and more. Just make sure to keep it charged or it won’t be helpful at all.

Photo by Roger Brown

3. First Aid Supplies

It’s vital to keep first aid supplies in your car as well as any emergency kit. You never know when you’re going to need them, especially if you’re injured out in a remote place camping or injure yourself on a hike. Here are some of the basic supplies you should keep in your first aid kit:

• Multiple sizes of bandages
• Family medications
• Gauze
• OTC pain relievers
• Cotton swabs
• Hand sanitizer
• Allergy medicine
• Safety pins
• Saline solution for eyes
• A needle
• Adhesive tape
• Medical scissors
• Antibiotic ointment
• Tweezers
• Hydrocortisone cream and antiseptic
• A digital thermometer
• Aloe vera
• Vaseline
• Sunscreen
• Cotton balls
• Insect bite relief

There are many great pre-made first aid kits on the market, or you can make your own. Either way, you can customize the kit to meet your family’s needs.

Shop First Aid Supplies

4. Tactical Flashlight

A flashlight is another vital essential to keep in your car. You probably won’t just have car problems during the day, and if you get stranded on a country road in the dark, you’ll wish you had one. But you don’t want just any old flashlight. This item is one that you shouldn’t buy from the Dollar Store. You want a durable tactical flashlight that won’t break if you drop it.

You should probably keep more than one in your car and emergency kit in case one dies when you need it the most. Choose one that’s waterproof and made from something like aluminum alloy that can take a beating.

5. Non-Perishable Food

Stocking non-perishable food in your emergency car kit is also vital. You may only be stranded an hour–or it could be 24–so you need food to survive. Granola and energy bars remain fresh for a long time. You can even add some canned food if you remember to bring a can opener. Other non-perishable foods include:

• Seeds and nuts
• Dried fruit
• Beef jerky
• Applesauce
• Almond or soy milk
• Peanut butter
• Crackers
• Hard candy

6. Water

Water is even more important than food because you can live much longer without food than you can water. Store-bought water is the easiest to put in your car kit. Just be careful because the plastic can break down in extreme heat and make the water taste bad or contaminate it. Rotate it out occasionally so you can make sure your stored water remains fresh. You can also use water to refill your radiator.

7. Seasonal Supplies

Your car may break down in the winter or the summer, so you should keep seasonal supplies in your car. For winter, include blankets or sleeping bags, sweatshirts and other warm clothing in your trunk. Also, store rain gear, such as an umbrella or rain poncho, along with an ice scraper for bad weather.

8. Tool Kit

A tool kit is also a must for your car. If you’re not near a garage or gas station, your tool kit is critical. You can customize it to your specific needs, but here are some items you want to keep in your car:

• Pliers
• Duct tape
• Screwdrivers
• Tire gauge
• Pocket knife

Purchasing a multitool is a solution if you don’t have enough space for a tool kit. Just make sure it includes the tools you need.

Other supplies that aren’t necessary tools, but may fall in this category are:

• Brake fluid
• Oil
• Antifreeze
• Windshield washer fluid
• Paper towels or rags

9. Road Flares and Reflective Triangles

If you need to stop on a busy highway or blind curve, you need something other than your flashers so that you remain visible to other drivers. Road flares are excellent and easy to use. You can set a few spaced out to give other drivers an advanced warning that there’s a problem up ahead. You can also set out the orange reflective triangles as well.

Photo by Styves Exantus

10. Supplies to Fix a Flat Tire

While many of us may never have to fix a flat tire on the side of the road, some of us will. So besides knowing how to do it, you need the right tools. First, you need a spare tire. So, check right now and make sure you have one. Then, make sure you have a jack and wheel wrench. You can also keep a tire inflator like Fix-a-Flat for a quick fix to get you to the nearest garage.

11. Map and Compass

People rely a lot on their cell phone or GPS, but if your car dies and the battery is low on your smartphone, you need a backup plan. It’s time to buy the old-school paper map because it doesn’t rely on technology. Also, an old-fashioned compass is great, too, if you’re trying to walk for help or you’re stranded in the woods somewhere. Sure, you can use newer models, but always have a backup in case you can’t use your electronic devices.

12. No-Spill Gas Can

In case you run out of gas, it’s always smart to keep a gas can in the car in case you need to walk to the closest service station for gas. No-spill gas cans are great because they have a special thumb-controlled spout for controlled, easy pouring. It reduces overflows and spills, which is important. Anyone who has ever tried pouring gas in a car from another type of can understands that it can be more difficult than it looks.

13. Reflective Vest

Let’s face it, people drive crazy. And while that’s nothing new, add all the electronic devices into the mix and people pay even less attention when they’re driving. In case you need to walk somewhere to get gas or help, a reflective vest helps you stand out and makes it safer for you to walk. Wearing a vest is important whether you’re in a city or a rural area. It’s a vital safety precaution.

14. Chargers for Your Cell Phone

A car cell phone or USB charger can be a lifesaver. You may be able to charge your phone just enough to call someone for help if you find yourself stranded on the road. If you don’t have a battery jump box with outlets to charge your phone, you can also bring a battery power bank. The power bank ensures you can charge your smartphone and other electronics so it’s quite handy to have. A charged cell phone can save you many problems.

Photo by Robert So

15. Fire Extinguisher

Most people never think they’ll need a fire extinguisher until they do. Honestly, every car needs a fire extinguisher, whether it’s to put a fire out in your car or someone else’s. You may wait a long time for the fire department to respond, and an extinguisher can save your life or that of another.

16. A Small, Foldable Shovel

You may be wondering why this is on the list. Well, it’s for snow and ice. If you get stuck in the snow, having a shovel is a lifesaver. You can use it to dig out the snow around your vehicle so you can free your car. Of course, a full-sized shovel is too large to fit in your car, but a small foldable shovel is the perfect size to fit in your trunk.

17. Sand or Kitty Litter

A shovel, sand or kitty litter can help you free your car if it gets stuck in the snow. I know kitty litter may seem like an odd item for your car emergency kit, but it’s similar to sand. Put some in front of or behind your tires and it’s usually just enough to give you traction to get out of the snow you’re stuck in.

18. Car Escape Tool

I seriously hope you never need this item, but it could save your life or even someone else’s. Many come with a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter in case you’re trapped in your car. You may get into a traffic crash and be trapped–and if a fire starts, you can’t wait for the fire department to respond. It will be too late.

A car escape tool helps if your vehicle gets caught in a flash flood or you end up in a body of water and you need to get out fast. In both scenarios, your electronic car windows may not work, and you may only have a couple of minutes or even seconds to escape. This tool is small and easy to keep wherever you store your emergency supplies in your car–or in a glove box–so you can access it easier.

19. Pen and Paper

How many times have you needed to write down an address or directions in your car and there aren’t any pens or paper in sight? Always keep a pen and paper in your car and you’ll be prepared to take the notes when you need to. Whether it’s to leave a note on your car if you try to walk somewhere to get help or write critical directions down, a simple pen and paper will save you.

Additional Items and Tips

Here are some additional items you may want to keep in your car as well:

• Towing chain or strap
• Hand-cranked or battery-powered radio
• Sanitation items
• Toiletries
• Solar battery charger

You should also have a mechanic check these things on your car regularly:

• Washer fluid and windshield wiper equipment
• Antifreeze levels
• Thermostat
• Ignition and battery system
• Oil
• Brakes
• Flashing hazard lights and other lights
• Exhaust system
• Defroster and heater
• Air and fuel filters

Additional Car Safety Tips

• Try to always keep your car filled with gas in case of a power outage or you need to evacuate. Keeping your gas tank full also prevents frozen fuel lines.
• Avoid overpasses, power lines, bridges and other hazards if the weather or an emergency may affect roadway stability.
• Install high-quality tires and make sure their tread is good for wet and winter weather conditions.
• If a live power line falls across your car, stay inside until someone qualified comes to remove the wires. If you leave, your possibility of electrical shock increases.
• Don’t drive through flooded areas. It only takes six inches of water to stall your car or cause you to lose control. Many cars will float in only one foot of water.

Being prepared can mean the difference between fixing the problem quickly and getting back on the road or waiting in your car for hours during dangerous conditions. A car emergency kit is one of those things that if you have it and never need it, that’s great! But if you need supplies and you don’t have any, you’ll surely regret not preparing.