1 Things That Must Always Be In Your Car In Case Of Emergency

Tire Puncture Sealant

While it may be one of the largest health risks of your car, these carcinogenic cans of chemical sealant work pretty damn well on tires that have simple, small-scale punctures. This is one of those “use only if it’s absolutely necessary” kinds of fixes, but if it means the difference between being stuck in a dangerous situation and making it to safety, you’ll know what to do.

Four-way Lug Wrench (Wheel Spanner) And Jack

The average lug wrench that comes stowed in the trunk of most modern cars is typically small and tedious to use. By opting to carry a cross-shaped, four-way lug wrench, you boost the amount of torque you can apply to lug nuts, and you get a choice of pattern sizes that enables you to help out fellow stranded travelers.

Fire Extinguisher

You will need a multipurpose car fire extinguisher to put in your car in case of any fire emergency. The bigger your car, the bigger the extinguisher type. Take note not to buy the aerosol type that will finish in just a spray. Ensure you learn how to use it and teach other people

First Aid Kit

This is one of the most crucial, and often overlooked automotive additions, and while certain automakers have wisely begun affixing first aid kits to the trunks of various vehicles, not every new model comes with a kit. Buying a basic, pre-assembled first aid kit and tossing it in your trunk is an easy way to make sure you at least have some of the basics for when an emergency occurs.

Siphon Pump

Siphon pumps are great to have if you run out of fuel and a fellow traveler offers a splash from their tank, thus eliminating the need to hike down the highway in search of a gas station. Affordable, compact, and readily available, we suggest picking one of these contraptions up at an auto or home improvement store because you never know when it’s your turn to be the person who comes to the rescue of a poor stranded soul.

Jerry Can

Keeping an unused Jerry can on hand may sound like a great fall back plan if there’s no tank to siphon out of, but it also comes with a stern safety warning: Never keep a spare can of fuel on hand because driving with a jug of fuel, or even an empty canister increases the chance of fires and explosions. Remember, a hike up the road to a gas station is a far better situation than a roaring, four-wheeled inferno.

Water Flask

Bottled water can be a real lifesaver and can mean the difference between heat exhaustion and staying level-headed. It can also help make basic roadside assistance issues less daunting. If a quick repair requires a fat splash of water in the radiator, you’ll be ready. Since plastic bottles can degrade over time, we suggest investing in a sturdy, decent-sized insulated metal bottle.

Reflective Triangles

Road flares may get people’s attention, but they burn out eventually and are prone to expiration. Cough up a few bucks for some LED-clad safety reflective triangles instead, for they never go bad and are bright enough. A set of three or more triangles is recommended, putting them 100 feet behind the vehicle as well as one 100 feet in front of the vehicle. If your car is on a curve, place the reflective triangles ahead of the bend to warn approaching cars.

Cash

Wu Tang Clan was right all along. Cash truly does rule everything around us. Simply put, don’t put too much stock in credit cards because certain toll booths, vending machines, and other situations require a little green to keep you pointed in the right direction. We suggest tucking about some bucks in small bills into an envelope and placing it either in the glovebox or hidden in the trunk.

Jumper Cables

While it may seem like the most obvious option, you would be surprised by how many people don’t own a set of jumper cables, or who leave them at home where they won’t do any good. Buy a set that’s around 6 to 8 feet in length, make sure it has a good warranty, and don’t buy the cheapest thing on the shelf — cheap cables tend to fray.

Flashlights

Even though most people have LED flashlights on their phones nowadays, they can’t cling to the underside of a hood or area of a fender well, which means you won’t be able to free up your hands to take care of the car. These lights are cheap, useful, and incredibly bright, and prevent you from draining your cell phone’s battery, which is helpful when for calling for assistance.

Power Bank/Cellphone Charger

If your car’s out of power, your phone charger won’t to do anything for your cell, which is why it’s a good idea to always have an external portable battery charger in the car, juiced up and ready to roll. We suggest plugging in one of these power packs at home and placing your car keys on top to guarantee you’ll remember to bring it the next time you head out.

Grab Bag With Tools

Items that you might want to toss in a napsack include things like a work gloves, rags, a tool kit, and duct tape. You’ll be glad you have it if your car takes some damage and a side mirror, bumper, or grille needs taping down in order to make it to your destination or repair shop.