You might not plan on getting into an accident, or for your car to break down who does, but that doesn’t mean that it may not happen to you. No matter how well you maintain your car, or how good a driver you might be- it always pays to plan for the worst. What would you do if you broke down in the middle of nowhere? How would you get by if you got a flat tyre or if you were involved in an accident? Here is a list of things you should always keep in your car, just in case of an emergency, especially if you are travelling long distance. After all, it’s better that you have twenty-five unnecessary items in your car and not need them, than to need them and not have them. Some will be needed in case of an accident or emergency.
Items to fix and change tires
If you encounter a scenario where you end up with a flat tyre, then you’d really benefit from having a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and the know-how of how to change your tire. If you don’t want to carry all of these items around, then you might find it beneficial to have some tire sealant on hand, as this can keep you on the move until you reach a garage.
Jumper Cables
A dead battery can be an unexpected surprise for anyone. While all you will need is a good Samaritan who is willing to help you get going again, there is no guarantee they’ll have jumper cables on hand to help you out, so it is always worth having your own.
Fire extinguisher
A fire spreading in a car can be life-threatening, as once a fire spreads to the fuel source, you could be looking at a very large, very dangerous explosion. This is why it is so important to keep some form of fire extinguisher on hand. A fire blanket might surface, or you could find it worthwhile to have a dry powder extinguisher in the car.
Relevant phone numbers
You should have a few emergency contact numbers to hand, such as the details of your roadside recovery/ breakdown company, and also the number of your insurance company, so that you can make your car insurance claim as soon as possible. If you are involved in an accident, your insurance company will need to be informed at your earliest convenience, and you may also benefit from calling the police to make a record of the accident.
First aid kit
From a slight cut to extreme injury, anything can happen out on the road. If you are involved in an accident or are witness to one, you, one of your passengers, or a third party could be injured and may benefit greatly from your preparedness in having a first aid kit on hand. Standard kits can be bought fully stocked, or you can find lists of what should be included in your first aid kit online. If you, or any of your passengers, take regular medication, you should also make sure to have some on hand.
Emergency food and water
If you get stuck somewhere, sometimes there is no telling how long you could be waiting for recovery services to get to you, and the wait will be a lot less painful if you have food and water to get you through. It’s always worth keeping a few water bottles in your car, along with some non-perishable food items, such as high energy food bars, or dried fruit.
High-visibility Clothing
If you break down in the dark, then a high-vis jacket could be a lifesaver. It can be hard for drivers to see people on the road at night, and a high-vis jacket could be all that stands between you, and an already bad situation getting much, much worse. You may also find it useful to have some reflective triangles in your car so that you can mark out an area around the car for passers-by to go around.
Phone or another communication device
Everyone relies on phones in this day and age, but they are never more important than in an emergency situation. You’ll need your phone to call for help, to contact friends and family, to document the scene of a car accident, and much more, so always make sure you have your phone on you. It’s also important to try and ensure it is fully charged before a long drive where possible.
Phone chargers
Having a car-adapted charger will be your saving grace in emergency situations, as without your phone you could find yourself in a really difficult situation. Of course, a car charger is no good to you if your car battery dies, so you may also want to have a solar powered charger, or a portable battery charger on hand as well, along with some spare batteries.
Map book
You can’t rely on technology for everything, and just in case you get lost without access to the internet, and no phone service, then a simple printed map book could well become your best friend. Map books are available which include routes across the whole of the UK, so you shouldn’t need more than one to hand.
Spare money
In case you don’t have any of the essentials you need, you may find having a small amount of money on you will help you in emergency situations. For example, you could use it to buy food or to make a call in a telephone box.
Comfortable clothing
If you are travelling home from work in restrictive attire, then breaking down could leave you in uncomfortable clothing for hours on end. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to have a comfortable change of clothes in your car, as well as a waterproof jacket, and possibly a blanket or two for cold days.
Entertainment
While it might not be on the top of an emergency supply list, it is always worth having some form of entertainment in your car, especially if you have little children. The last situation you’ll want to end up in is a stressful traffic jam, is to have your children loudly declaring their boredom, and demanding attention. It might be worthwhile to have some colouring books in your car, or some form of travel game.