What to Keep in Your Car Emergency Kit: A Roadside Safety Checklist
What to Keep in Your Car Emergency Kit: A Roadside Safety Checklist
A dead battery, flat tire, traffic accident, or sudden change in weather can turn an ordinary drive into a stressful situation. Although you cannot prevent every roadside emergency, you can prepare for one.
Keeping a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle can help you remain safer and more comfortable while you contact roadside assistance, wait for emergency responders, or arrange transportation.
September is National Preparedness Month, but vehicle preparedness matters throughout the year. Use this checklist to build a practical roadside emergency kit—and remember to inspect it regularly.
Why Every Vehicle Needs a Roadside Emergency Kit
Even a well-maintained vehicle can experience an unexpected problem. Tires can lose pressure, batteries can fail, road debris can cause damage, and severe weather can make travel difficult.
A roadside emergency kit cannot replace professional assistance. However, it can provide useful supplies while you wait for help.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends keeping emergency supplies in your vehicle, including a charged phone, first-aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, tire-pressure gauge, water, food, basic tools, and weather-appropriate clothing or blankets.
Your ideal kit will depend on your climate, travel habits, family, medical needs, and vehicle. A driver who regularly travels long rural routes may need additional supplies compared with someone who primarily drives short distances in town.
1. Cellphone Charger and Backup Power Bank
A cellphone can help you contact emergency services, roadside assistance, family members, or your insurance provider. It can also help you identify your location and receive weather or traffic alerts.
Keep a charging cable that works with your phone in the vehicle. A portable power bank adds another charging option if the vehicle loses electrical power.
Check and recharge the power bank periodically. Extreme temperatures can affect batteries, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding safe storage.
2. First-Aid Kit
A compact first-aid kit can help with minor cuts, scrapes, and other non-life-threatening injuries while you wait for professional care.
A basic kit might contain:
Adhesive bandages in several sizes
Sterile gauze and medical tape
Antiseptic wipes
Disposable gloves
Tweezers and small scissors
An instant cold pack
Any essential personal medications
Review the contents at least twice a year. Replace expired, damaged, or previously used supplies.
A first-aid kit is not a substitute for emergency medical assistance. Call 911 when someone may be seriously injured or needs immediate care.
3. Flashlight and Extra Batteries
A flashlight makes it easier to see inside or around a vehicle after dark. It can also help you locate supplies or make yourself more visible.
Choose a durable flashlight with a bright beam. Store extra batteries separately, or use a rechargeable flashlight and check its charge regularly.
A headlamp can be another useful option because it keeps both hands free.
4. Reflective Warning Devices
Visibility is especially important when a vehicle becomes disabled at night or during bad weather.
Consider keeping reflective triangles, a reflective vest, or another approved roadside-warning device in your kit. These supplies may help other motorists notice you and your vehicle sooner.
Only place warning devices when you can do so safely. Do not stand in an active travel lane or put yourself between moving traffic and your vehicle.
If possible, move the vehicle completely out of traffic, turn on the hazard lights, remain aware of surrounding vehicles, and contact the appropriate assistance.
5. Jumper Cables or a Portable Jump Starter
A weak or dead battery is a common reason vehicles become stranded. Jumper cables may allow another vehicle to provide the power needed to start yours.
A portable jump starter can be helpful when another vehicle is unavailable. Make sure the device is appropriate for your vehicle and learn how to use it before an emergency occurs.
Always follow the instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual and the jump starter’s safety directions. Incorrect connections can damage the vehicle or cause an injury.
Recharge a portable jump starter according to its manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
6. Tire-Pressure Gauge
Proper tire pressure supports vehicle handling, tire life, and fuel efficiency. A compact pressure gauge allows you to check a tire when it appears low or when the tire-pressure warning light comes on.
Use the pressure listed on the vehicle-information label—often located inside the driver’s door area—or in the owner’s manual. The number printed on the tire sidewall indicates the tire’s maximum pressure, not necessarily the pressure recommended for your vehicle.
NHTSA recommends inspecting tires regularly and before long trips. Look for cuts, cracks, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and other visible damage.
If a tire has significant damage or the vehicle cannot be moved safely, contact roadside assistance instead of attempting to continue driving.
7. Spare Tire or Vehicle-Supplied Tire Kit
Some vehicles include a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. Others use a tire-inflator or temporary mobility kit instead.
Check which equipment your vehicle provides and learn its limitations. Make sure:
The spare tire is properly inflated
The jack and tools are present
Locking-lug adapters are stored in the vehicle
Tire sealant has not expired
You understand the manufacturer’s instructions
Temporary spare tires and sealant kits usually have restrictions on speed, distance, and the types of damage they can address. Consult the owner’s manual before use.
Do not attempt to change a tire in an unsafe location. If the vehicle is close to moving traffic, on unstable ground, or in another hazardous position, call for professional help.
8. Work Gloves and Basic Supplies
Work gloves can protect your hands while handling tools, inspecting a tire, or moving items around the vehicle.
Other useful supplies may include:
Paper towels or shop towels
Basic hand tools
Duct tape for limited temporary uses
A rain poncho
A white cloth or flag
A small notepad and pen
Printed emergency contact information
Temporary materials should never be treated as permanent vehicle repairs. Have the vehicle professionally inspected as soon as possible.
9. Drinking Water and Nonperishable Food
Unexpected delays can last longer than anticipated, especially during severe weather or in remote areas.
Keep sealed drinking water and shelf-stable snacks in your emergency kit. Choose foods that tolerate storage reasonably well and accommodate your family’s dietary or medical needs.
Inspect these supplies regularly. Replace anything that has expired, leaked, melted, or been damaged by temperature changes.
Never leave children or animals unattended in a parked vehicle, even when water is available. Vehicle interiors can quickly reach dangerous temperatures.
10. Emergency Blanket and Seasonal Clothing
An emergency blanket takes up little space and can provide additional warmth if you become stranded in cold conditions.
Depending on the season, consider adding:
A warm blanket
Extra socks
A hat and gloves
A rain jacket or poncho
Hand warmers
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Update the kit as the seasons change. The supplies needed during a summer heat emergency may differ from those needed during cold or icy weather.
11. Important Information
Phones can lose power or become damaged, so keep a written copy of essential information in your vehicle.
Include:
Emergency contacts
Roadside-assistance information
Insurance contact information
Important medical information
The vehicle’s year, make, and model
Store vehicle registration and insurance documents according to applicable requirements, but avoid leaving unnecessary sensitive personal information inside the vehicle.
Where Should You Store an Emergency Kit?
Use a durable container or zippered bag that is easy to identify and carry.
Secure the kit in the trunk or cargo area so it does not move freely while the vehicle is in motion. Loose objects can become dangerous during sudden braking or a collision.
Frequently needed items—such as a flashlight, reflective vest, phone charger, and emergency contacts—should be accessible without unloading the entire vehicle.
Do not block access to the spare tire, jack, battery, or other emergency equipment.
How Often Should You Check Your Kit?
Review your roadside emergency kit at least twice a year and before long trips.
During each inspection:
Recharge power banks, flashlights, and jump starters.
Test battery-powered equipment.
Replace expired food, water, medicine, and first-aid supplies.
Check the spare tire’s pressure.
Confirm that vehicle tools are present.
Replace damaged reflective gear or gloves.
Adjust clothing and supplies for the upcoming season.
Make sure emergency contacts and insurance information are current.
Setting a recurring reminder at the beginning of spring and fall can make this task easier to remember.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Becomes Disabled
If your vehicle breaks down, stay calm and evaluate your surroundings.
When possible:
Move the vehicle completely out of traffic.
Turn on the hazard lights.
Avoid stopping near curves, hills, or other low-visibility areas.
Contact roadside assistance or emergency services.
Tell someone where you are.
Stay alert to traffic and changing weather conditions.
Do not attempt a repair that exceeds your knowledge or puts you in danger.
Whether it is safer to remain inside the vehicle depends on the location and circumstances. If you are uncertain or in immediate danger, contact 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
Prepare Today for the Unexpected
A roadside emergency kit is a relatively small investment that can make an unexpected delay easier to manage. Start with the essentials, adapt the kit to your household and travel habits, and inspect it regularly.
Preparedness also includes keeping your vehicle in safe operating condition and addressing accident damage promptly.
If your vehicle has been involved in a collision, Hannabass & Rowe Collision Center can evaluate the visible and potentially hidden damage, explain the recommended repair process, and help you get safely back on the road.
Contact Hannabass & Rowe Collision Center to learn more or schedule a collision-repair evaluation.
