Top 10 Items for a Car Emergency Kit

It’s impossible to predict what might happen on the road. Many people underestimate the dangers of going unprepared on a car trip, even if it’s a short distance. It’s always important to be fully prepared for not just accidents, but car failure, extreme weather, and other possible situations you could encounter while on the road. Consider a car emergency kit to keep in your trunk at all times and always be prepared for any situation.

One of the most dangerous, yet seldom thought about situations is an engine fire, a class B and class C fire extinguisher is needed for these types of situations. Never open a hood or trunk if you see flems, this can result in an even bigger fire once the fire is exposed to oxygen. The best bet is to stand far back and away from an engine fire and try to control any other burning objects with the fire extinguisher to keep the fire from spreading. Be warned, if you face an alternative-fueled vehicle, stay far away from the vehicle, these are the most dangerous fires and should only be approached by professionals.
 
 
 

You never know when you might need to call for help, and if your smartphone runs out of juice there’s no way you can call a towing service or emergency personnel. Don’t be stuck in the same spot for hours, keep a portable solar charger and a USB battery in your car at all times.Suntactics carries a car emergency kit that includes a handheld solar charger, a USB battery, and an LED light, keep these in your trunk so you don’t have to worry about being stranded without power.
 
 
 

Think about the worst case scenario when picking up a Medical Kit for your car. Don’t pick one that just has band-aids and ointments, but choose one that takes care of serious wounds for burns, large cuts or fractures, you may be stuck in the middle of nowhere and would need to care for your own wounds until medical assistance arrives. Pick a first aid kit that includes burn gel, medical tape, gauze bandages, splints, medical scissors, wound cleanser, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, painkillers (aspirin), and medical gloves.
 
 
 

Dead batteries are very common, especially if you forget to turn off your headlights. There are inexpensive jumper cables that hook up to other cars from a good samaritan, but if you’re in the middle of nowhere, it would become a waiting game. That’s why “Jump Starters” that do not require a second vehicle is the best tool to have, there is a great jump starter called Jump-N-Carry by Clore automotive and it’s a great item to have in the trunk of your vehicle.
 
 
 

When it comes to small holes in a tire, patch kits are a perfect solution. There are several brands out there that come in an electric air compressor and sealant and will inflate your tire and seal the hole at the same time, we recommend the Smart Spair Emergency Tire Repair Kit. In extreme cases obviously an extra spare tire is needed.
 
 
 
 

It’s always important to check your car oil every 2-4 fillups (or every month), a lot of people forget about checking their oil, this can destroy the engine. Same with fluids, check if you have enough water and coolant every month. Also, keep some emergency fuel in the trunk of your car, it doesn’t have to be much, just enough to get you to the next gas station, so we recommend Magic Tank, a half gallon fuel container that’s easy to store and has a 10 year shelf life.
 
 
 

Even if you do everything right, there’s always something that goes wrong, be it an accident on a secluded roadway, a vacuum line popping off on your engine, or some situation that leaves you stranded, a car emergency kit will come in handy. A spare blanket could be a lifesaver in a winter storm, a portable shovel, kitty litter can get you out of a slippery situation. Extra bottle and protein bars could go a long way.