5 things you really need to always have in your car

Do you have all the essential items to keep in your car in case of emergency? It’s easy to take safety for granted. But preparing ahead of time for foreseeable problems can make a huge difference in your life. Have you ever had a flat tire? Broken down on the side of the road? Got stuck in your car after an accident? Then you know how important it is to have emergency supplies in your vehicle. These items can save you a lot of inconvenience, like being stranded and having to call a tow truck. But they could also save a life.

The fact is, you can prepare for the unexpected. You can’t prepare for everything, but you can be ready for some things. Whether it’s a flat tire or someone who needs medical attention after a collision. Following are five essential items to keep in your car. At the very least, every driver should have these five things available.

1. Jumper cables

It’s always a good idea to keep jumper cables in your car, especially if you live in an area with cold winters. Because your battery might die. And without electricity, the heat won’t work. That can be dangerous, even life-threatening if temperature dips to below freezing. Having some jumper cables will make sure you’re able to get home safe even on days where everyone else is out of luck.

Jumper cables work by allowing an electric current to flow from one battery to the other. Their job is to jump start your car’s engine. Jumper cables are what get you on the right path and back up and running as soon as possible.

Jumper cables we recommend

The good news is jumper cables are easy to find and inexpensive. This pair of jumper cables from Walmart are a generous 12 feet long. You’ll be able to connect to another car even if that car is facing the opposite direction. These cables are strong yet flexible, so you can trust them in a tough spot.

2. First aid kit

A solid, well-stocked first aid kit is crucial, and not just for camping and road trips. It’s also a necessity that you should keep in your car at all times. A first aid kit is for minor illnesses and injuries. It contains a lot of useful items such as bandages, medicine and ointments.

In general, first aid kits are inexpensive. But they vary a great deal in size. Or you can buy a compact, portable kit. You can also buy first aid backpacks with all the first aid supplies you could ever need, plus more. But even a small kit can come to the rescue when someone needs medical attention on the go. You never know when someone could get hurt and need basic medical help. When you’re out and about, it’s one of the most essential items to keep in your car. After all, you don’t carry a first aid kit around with you in your pockets.

First aid kit we recommend

Red Cross makes a Deluxe All Purpose First Aid Kit that has everything you need to treat minor injuries. Are you looking for something more advanced? The My Medic First Aid Kit is almost 10 times the price, but you get what you pay for. It comes with more than 100 quality first aid supplies.

3. Gas can

It is important to prepare for emergencies by keeping an extra gas can in your vehicle. Having a gas can in your car will save you the trouble of having to find gas stations and fill up again. Also, it’s much safer if you run out of gas. This way, if you run out of fuel or find yourself stranded on the side of the road? Your last resort won’t involve panicking over how to get back home. Because with a spare canister in tow, it’ll only take minutes to restore life’s necessities.

Gas can we recommend

The Primus Fuel Bottle motto is: “Tis better to have extra fuel and not need it than to not have extra fuel and need it desperately.” For a product that’s under $20, it’s a motto that’s hard to refuse. But maybe you want something bigger. The 5-gallon Jerry Can Gasoline Fuel Can Portable Metal Gas Emergency Backup Tank is great if you know you’ll be traveling long distances or trekking out into nature where you won’t have convenient access to gas stations.

4. Spare tire with tools

We’ve all seen someone on the side of the road with a flat tire, and we all hope never to be that person. But flat tires can happen to anyone at any time. You need to make sure that your car is always stocked with the equipment to change a flat. That means at least a tire jack, a spare tire and a lug wrench. These three things go together so stock up on them all before a flat happens.

Spare tire set we recommend

The tire jack helps lift the car so you can access the tire off of the ground. The spare tire is what you will use to replace your flat tire. The lug wrench is for loosening and tightening bolts on the wheel area so you can make sure your spare is secure. Grab this Spare Tire and Jack Tool Kit if your car is missing a tool kit for your spare tire.

5. Tire pressure gauge

Let’s hope you don’t get a flat tire and need the spare mentioned in the section above. A great way to avoid this is by making sure your tires are always filled to the right amount. You can do this using a tire pressure gauge. This item is small and cheap, but don’t underestimate it’s value. It’s essential to keep in your car. This small object will help you not only prevent flat tires but also keep your car more fuel-efficient.