7 Supplies That Should Always be in a Car in the Event of an Emergency

car going through the woods

You could run into any number of problems when navigating the roads. To be prepared, you should be sure to stock a minimum of 7 things in your car survival kit. Check out the article below to find out what they are.

Drivers should always stay positive and hope for the best, but they should also always plan for the worst. Don’t ignore this simple cliché when it comes to being on the road, especially as the weather gets cold. Your cell phone is by no means enough. Don’t ever get caught unprepared. Make sure that you have the items on this list in your car. It can save you and your passengers’ lives.

Most newer cars don’t include spare tires anymore to save money manufacturing the vehicle. You can’t drive around with a flat tire, can you? But you also don’t want to be changing it with hundreds of cars flying by you at a speed of 55+mph. This is where a sealant in a can comes in handy. Do some research and make sure the sealant is compatible with your specific tire type.

Everything that has a computer or depends on electricity can give up on you. Keeping a road map in your car can save your life. You can’t access Google to see where you have to go if your phone is dead or has no service. YYou can also use the printed road maps as a heat source if you stuff them under your jacket or blanket.

Siphon pump or fuel container
You have to have at least one of these two items. One of the most common reasons people get stranded is because they run out of gas. Don’t put yourself in that situation. Always make sure your tank is at least half full and that you have a small not entirely full fuel container. A siphon pump can come be useful if there is no gas station nearby and a fellow driver offers you a hit from his or her tank.

A top priority must be to stay hydrated. Don’t buy gallons of water because they are too heavy and take up too much space. Instead, get a pack of small water bottles that you can be put anywhere in the car. Make sure to carry a few extra refillable bottles just in case. Pick non-perishable food items that will keep you full for longer and won’t take too much space. The best snacks for these kinds of situations are high-calorie energy and protein bars.

You can never go wrong with having extra cash with you. Unless you got lost hiking in the wilderness, everything you don’t have in your emergency bag and you need, you can buy. Bring cash because many places don’t take cards, have a minimum, or don’t have an ATM.

Your car breaking down in the middle of the road in the cold winter means no heater. Emergency blankets – you probably know them as “space blankets” – don’t cost much. The regular kind will do as well. Stack the car with a few – at least one per passenger. Bring wool blankets, which are even warmer, as an alternative. They are best for moist conditions.

As with most survival kits, you'll definitely want at least a few servings of food and water so you can keep your energy up when waiting for help to arrive. A blanket is also a good idea. Even if it doesn't get that cold out, having the comfort available can do a great deal to raise morale while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

If the worst happens and a more widespread disaster occurs, having a fuel siphon and some road maps on hand will hopefully get you home.

If you thought this article had some useful tips, you can check out more on The Active Times.


4 Comments

  1. Connie Herrin said:

    If traveling always take water and food. Winter time you definitely need a heavy blanket in case you break down.

  2. Paul Schneider said:

    This list overlooks the three most important items…

    Toilet paper, matches or preferably a flint type fire starter (not a lighter, they can dry out), and a jacket…..

    All three have come in handy at some point in the 25 years I’ve been driving

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