With winter being a particularly dangerous season for drivers worldwide and requiring emergency roadside assistance, we already went over what you should keep in your winter emergency kit. There are, however, a range of items you should keep in your vehicle year-round because whether it’s a long commute or a spring excursion with the family, it’s never ideal timing to be stranded on the side of the road. Your toolkit should be full of essentials that could help you in all kinds of weather, stowed away in your trunk to give you great peace of mind.

Let’s take a look at some of the items you should have in your emergency kit.

The Basics

  • A spare tire & tools for changing it
  • Jumper cables
  • Basic tool kit
  • Roadmaps of the local area
  • Flares or reflective items
  • Blankets
  • Cellphone charger for the car
  • Non-perishable food items like dried fruit, canned goods and snacks
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries
  • First-aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Duct tape
  • Lighter

Items for Families with Babies

Having a few essentials can give you peace of mind should you get stranded with your child and the bag you have on you begin to run empty. Consider having some of these important items in your kit while your baby requires them.

  • Formula
  • Extra bottles
  • Diapers
  • Diaper rash cream
  • Basic medicine
  • Wipes
  • An extra pacifier

Items for Families with Pets

Your pets require just as much extra care as a child would. If you got stranded while your furball was with you, consider stocking away some of these items.

  • Pet food
  • Water/food bowls (or basic plastic bowls for humans as they are lighter and take up less space)
  • An extra, old leash
  • A chew toy or comfort item
  • Basic backup of medicine if your pet usually requires it

Items for Sanitation & Wounds

Besides a standard first-aid kit, you should also consider having some of these items on-hand in your tool kit as they can definitely make the entire situation more calm and convenient.

  • A few extra rolls of toilet paper
  • Wet wipes
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • hand sanitizer
  • Medical gloves
  • Zipper bags to hold certain items and wet ones

Weather-Related Items

You never know when or where you might get stranded. Consider having some basic weather gear can save your life and certainly make the stay more comfortable.

  • Sand or kitty litter (for snowy situations)
  • Rain ponchos
  • Insect repellant
  • Summer hats
  • Hand or foot warmers
  • Ice scraper

Lastly, you should have some very basic forms of entertainment should the situation run longer than you assumed. You can keep a deck of cards on you, a simple board game, a few books or pen and paper.

If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for emergency roadside assistance.