This article is about car emergencies and how to prepare for them if you need to take care of one. It will help you clear away some of the clutter from your mind and ensure that any unexpected situation doesn’t get out of hand if it should arise.
Some people don’t spend much time thinking about emergencies until they happen in their vehicles. They think about them much less than they should, only when it’s too late for preparations to be done. We’ll help you avoid that scenario by ensuring you have at least some of the basics.
Now is the time to start getting organized and thinking about potential emergencies and vehicle safety. The first thing that you need to do is get your mind into a prepared state.
Remove all of the clutter from your car. If you’re like most people, you have a ton of stuff lying around, and you don’t even see it. Go through your vehicle, take everything out, and clear away all the junk you can’t use to solve your problems in an emergency.
You’ll be surprised by how much stuff takes up space in your car but needs to be used for something constructive. If you don’t need the junk, then there’s no reason to keep it around.
Important Things to Have in Your Vehicle
1. A Blanket or Other Warm Cover
In case of a breakdown, a blanket is essential to keep you warm. It can also be used in many different situations and should be on hand if you’re going to be on the road for any length of time.
2. A Flashlight
A flashlight is another essential thing you should always have on hand while driving. There are times when it will happen in the middle of the night, and it’s best to be prepared for those moments instead of being caught without anything and having to fumble around trying to get one from someone else.
3. Extra Fuel
Of course, your car must have extra fuel for all your driving needs. It can get very costly if you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, but if you’re prepared for that kind of situation, then it’ll be a breeze to handle.
4. A Tow Strap
A tow strap is a vital tool for emergency preparedness, especially in dry and sandy places. You never know when you’ll need to move your car if it’s stuck, and you don’t want to wait for anyone to show up and help you out. Just having one in your vehicle will keep you safe and let you take care of whatever needs repairing right away.
5. A First Aid Kit
You should always have a first aid kit, especially if there’s any chance this kind of emergency occurs. Even if you’re going for a short drive, it’s wise to bring one of these kits with you so that you can handle any issues.
6. Gluing Material
Gluing material can help fix many broken items under your car. You can use it to keep the pieces of your tire together or even to patch up other things that are tearing or leaking. It’s all about keeping things together long enough for you to fix them and avoid as severe damage as possible. A good example of this would be duct tape.
7. An Extra Car Battery
A car battery is something that most people don’t think about as being a necessity, but getting one and storing it can help you out in an emergency. Just having one means that you can take care of most of the electrical problems without having to call a mechanic for help.
8. Basic Electrical Tools
Essential electrical tools are necessary to have in any car that you own. They include things like screwdrivers, wrenches, and sockets. They will be important in many situations, such as repairing a faulty part or replacing something that’s lost its power source.
9. Multitools
Multitools are helpful for various jobs that need to be done on your car, from cutting the wire to changing spark plugs or cleaning up jammed mufflers.
10. A Thermos
A thermos is one of the emergency supplies of which you will want to take advantage. It’s a specific item that’s extremely useful for keeping things hot or cold in the middle of the night and when you’re stuck somewhere away from home.
11. Tools
Tools are necessary to change tires, which are constantly worn out because of bad weather conditions, negligence on behalf of the owner, or simply because they can’t take care of them properly. Either way, you should have a basic set of tools to take care of your car.
12. A Tire Pump
A tire pump can stop you from going too far out of your way and keep you from having to wait around for assistance with your tire problems. All it takes is a little bit of pumping and ensuring it’s properly fitted on the tire; soon enough, you’ll be on your way again.
13. Extra Fuses
It’s a good idea to keep extra fuses in your car, especially if it can be a common problem. There’s nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road with no way to get going again, so make sure you always have some extras in your trunk.
14. Break-in Kit
Break-in kits are something that most car owners never think about having in their possession. Still, they’re essential for getting your car back up and running correctly after having any serious breakdown or malfunctioning problem with it. These are best kept in your purse in case you lock yourself out of your car.
15. Bottled Water
Water kept in a metal thermos or another sturdy container will be invaluable and could keep you alive. Be sure to change it out occasionally so that it is always fresh.
16. Tire Gauge
Tire gauges are convenient for checking whether or not your tires are losing pressure or if something is causing them to deflate for some reason. They’re very cheap and easy to use, so there’s no excuse not to keep them with you at all times just in case something goes wrong.
17. A Voltage Tester
A voltage tester is an excellent tool in your car that can help you fix any electrical problems. It’s easy to use and works exceptionally well, so having one makes it much easier to get back on the road as soon as possible. It’s wise to check it every once in a while to ensure that everything is working fine and that there’s nothing wrong with the equipment you’re using.
18. A Book On Car Maintenance
A book on car maintenance is highly recommended for anyone with a car of their own. It will help you fix minor problems on your own and can be used as a reference guide in case you need to remember how to fix something or if something goes wrong that you haven’t done before. It’s also very affordable, especially since it’s a one-time purchase.
19. A Plastic Sheet
A plastic sheet is something that has many different uses. It can cover things up inside of your car to keep them from getting wet or dirty, and it’s also helpful in keeping the interior of your car cool at night. It’s surprisingly cheap too, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much on it.
20. Cell Phone Charger
A cell phone charger is a handy tool for any car owner, and it’s something you should always have in your possession. Keeping your phone charged is extremely important for many reasons, so keep one with you, and you’ll always be able to stay in touch with other people if necessary.
21. Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are extremely important to have. If you accidentally leave a light on in your car or a door cracked, it can drain the battery. If you have jumper cables you will not be stranded.
22. Knife
A knife is a valuable item to have in your car for emergencies. They can be used for cutting things, breaking into things, and many other vital uses.
23. Fire Starting Kit
Every car owner should have waterproof matches or flint in their car. They are useful for lighting fuses or starting fires if you need to build one for warmth while you wait for help to arrive.
24. Flare
A flare can be very useful to alert for help, especially if you get stranded in a remote place.
Conclusion
These are just a few suggestions for things to keep in the car in case of an emergency. It is always better to be safe than sorry and to have things you may never use than to find yourself in need without them.
