Many people who belong to AAA or drive a newer car feel as though they’ll be protected if a breakdown happens. In reality, when a breakdown happens, AAA may be far away or unreachable and you may be in a dark, desolate place with poor cell reception (or a dead cell phone). Each year, 1 in 3 motorists encounter a breakdown, dead car battery, or mechanical problems. Car emergency kits are important, even for newer cars, and even for those with roadside assistance – they can help you survive until help arrives. There are a few essentials for a roadside emergency kit – they come prepackaged or you could assemble your own:
- Charged cell phone. Though you’ll probably carry this around, make sure your cell phone is charged when you get in the car and keep a car charger for long trips.
- First aid kit. Band-Aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, and antiseptics can help with an injury.
- Fire Extinguisher.
- Reflective warning triangles. Warning triangles warn oncoming traffic that you are stopped on the road and can prevent another accident.
- Tire gauge. This can help with low or flat tires in driving tires and the spare. Many people go to change their tire and find that the spare is flat too.
- Foam tire sealant. This can help you repair a flat without having to change the tire.
- Jumper cables.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- Gloves and rags.
- Duct tape.
- Tow straps.
- Swiss army knife or other tools.
- Rain poncho.
- Drinking water and nonperishable snacks.
- When traveling in the snow and cold: a warm blanket, snow shovel, cat litter, and a windshield
Prepackaged roadside kits range from $18 to $70. And while preventative measures are never fun to spend money on, they can definitely come in handy in a tough situation. Most people don’t think about a roadside emergency kit until it’s too late.
