6 Emergency Tools Every Driver Should Keep in Their Car

Aug 11, 2016

6 Emergency Tools Every Driver Should Keep in Their Car Depending on what climate you live in, some tools in your car are deemed essential for emergencies. If you are likely to get snowed in, you might want a foldable shovel with a pick or a flare. But someone on the shores of the Gulf Coast wouldn’t need full-blown winter gear if stranded in his vehicle. Essentially, common sense is your best defense when you are planning for emergencies in your area.

Seat Belt Cutter and Window Breaker

If you drive into a body of water and have seconds to get out of the car before you drown, breaking a window is mandatory, especially if you are riding with small children or disabled people who need your assistance to evacuate the vehicle. Keep this item in the cabin of your car, not in the trunk, so it is accessible immediately.

Jumper Cables

In this world of demands, you are lucky if you can find someone willing to stop and help you if your battery dies. You don’t want to have to rely on that very nice someone to have jumper cables, too. Carrying a set in your trunk is too easy and too compact not to do.

Tire Repair Kit

This kit can get a little bulky and somewhat expensive if you choose, but it can also contain only the bare minimum. Some people recommend you carry a tire gauge, but most cars made in the last five years or so have tire sensor icons which display on the dashboard if your tire pressure is low. Therefore, having a gauge in the car is not as crucial as it once was. A jack on the other hand and a reliable spare tire are must-haves unless you want to be on the side of the road without any tools in your toolbox.

Toolbox

Speaking of tools, why not toss a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver, a set of pliers, and a flashlight in your emergency kit? You’re not likely to need it to actually fix something on the car, but it is probable that while you are on the go, you will come across situations that require those tools. A bright-colored cloth can be used as a signal if you need to get someone’s attention from far away, so it is a good item to also store in your box.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is handy. Something as simple as band-aids, ointment, an adhesive bandage, and alcohol wipes can get you out of a bind quickly, especially if you have children who are constantly scraping themselves. Rubber gloves, medical tape, and tweezers are also good items to have on hand.

A Change of Clothes

This set is the most commonly needed item which most people don’t want to bother carrying around. Then when their clothes rip or a button pops while they are at work, they have no options. This is especially true for parents who attract sticky hands, paint stains, and not to mention spit up. Extra clothes also provide insulation if you are in a colder environment and get locked in your vehicle. In addition, a shirt can bandage a large wound.

Remember in an emergency to stay calm. No amount of preparedness will help you if you lose your cool. Thinking through potential hazards in advance will help you decide what items you want to store in your vehicle. If you have children, consider what you would need to keep them alive and well when you pack your emergency knapsack.

image from Pixabay licensed under CC BY 2.0