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An emergency car kit is not a one-size-fits-all item. Think about it; if you live in Phoenix, Arizona, a warm blanket might not be a high priority item to keep in your car. But if you live in upstate New York? Storing a fleece blanket in your trunk would be a lifesaver if you ended up stranded on the side of the road in the winter time.
While I do see some benefit to store-bought emergency car kits (I mean, something is better than nothing), this is one of those things that you’d be better off going the DIY route.
Because of situations like the one mentioned above, there is not a master list of items that EVERY car SHOULD have. However, I am a very thorough girl, and I like to give you all the options. So below is my fairly comprehensive list of items you should CONSIDER keeping in your car. Keep reading to see what essential items you might be forgetting or have never considered (and which ones you may want to skip)!
Before I start listing off items you should keep in your car, let’s go through some basics you should think about. These questions/prompts will help you know what not to bother with and what should move up on your priority list.
The following items are things that could be not only life-saving, but can also be a game-changer in an accident situation, and also invaluable if your find yourself at a park with your kids!
This is where you really need to think about your personal needs and your own family. Some of these things might be essential for you and some might just be for comfort. I just know there have been situations (not emergencies) where more than a couple of these items were really nice to have in the moment.
This one can get tricky because you do need to pay attention to expiration dates, temperature, etc. Go with things that have a long shelf life like protein bars. Here are a few to consider:
I haven’t tried any of these. Just be sure to find something that is rated for extreme temperatures.
Space will definitely be an issue with this. Again, choose something that is rated for extreme temperatures. Be aware that water will freeze.
I have been told however, that if you keep it in an insulated cooler, that will help prevent freezing. Here are a few options to choose from:
Many of the car emergency kit items should be kept in your car year-round, but there are a few things that you’ll definitely want to make sure you have come winter. Here is what I recommend:
Remember to regularly check and replenish your car kit to ensure that all items are in good condition and within their expiration dates. This is especially important to do when it comes time to exchange your winter items for your summer car kit items. You can check out this post for the list of summer car kit essentials.
Make sure your car is in tip top shape before venturing out in the frigid temps and snow! Here are some things you should consider doing:
If you travel with your pet(s), it’s a good idea to keep some pet food, water, and some other basic essentials for your pet(s) in your car also.
Now that you’ve seen the list, are you a little overwhelmed at the thought of where to put all of it? I know. It’s a lot. Just remember what I said in the introduction – not every item applies to every person/family. That’s the beauty of DIY when it comes to emergency preparedness – you can make it work for YOU.
Some of these items will be things you want to/should keep in your car all year long, while others can be switched out according to the season.
A good idea for the winter–specific items would be a smaller duffel bag that is easy to transfer when it’s time to switch out for summer items. That way it all stays in one place and you won’t be hunting down items the next winter.
Another thought is to keep some of these items stashed in other parts of your car. This is actually recommended for some items (like the seatbelt cutter/glass break/flashlight that should be within reach of the driver at all times).
Some ideas for organizing the trunk items:
One final thought: As you are deciding what is worthy to take up trunk space, be sure to not cut out things that could potentially save your life.
If I had to choose, I’d choose safety over convenience every time!
Three full pages of printables (to be cut in half for 6 half-sheets of paper)
These ideas for a new driver gift basket are a combination of fun and function. Including printables for a car accident checklist and how to jumpstart a car.
Do you know what happens to a vehicle when the owner dies? Most of us don’t. Not only is it important to keep track of all your important vehicle information in case of the tragic, but having that information handy for daily life can make things easier for everyone.
There will be a lot of crossover with your winter car kit. Some things are just essential year-round. You’ll find those in the post I mentioned above. Here I want to highlight the must-have items for your summer car kit:
Remember to regularly check and replenish your car kit to ensure that all items are in good condition and within their expiration dates. This is especially important to do when you make the swap from Winter to Summer. A well-maintained car kit will provide you with peace of mind all summer long.
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