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If you have a company vehicle or you use a vehicle for your business, you should have a car emergency kit. Car emergency kits contain various items you should always have in case of a breakdown or accident.
10 Car Emergency Kit Must-Have Items for Winter
When it comes to equipping a vehicle for emergencies, especially for small business owners and entrepreneurs who rely on their vehicles for daily operations, certain items are essential for safety and preparedness. Here’s a methodology for selecting items to always keep in your vehicle in case of an emergency:
- First Aid Kit (Essential: 10/10)
- Contents: Ensure it includes bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and gloves.
- Accessibility: It should be easily reachable and well-organized.
- Flashlight and Batteries (Essential: 9/10)
- Brightness: Choose a high-lumen flashlight for visibility.
- Durability: Select one that is durable and water-resistant.
- Jumper Cables (Essential: 9/10)
- Length: Opt for cables that are at least 12 feet long.
- Gauge: Thicker cables (lower gauge number) are more efficient.
- Roadside Flares or Reflective Triangles (Essential: 8/10)
- Visibility: Ensure they are bright and can be seen from a distance.
- Quantity: Have multiple to set a perimeter for safety.
- Spare Tire and Jack (Essential: 9/10)
- Compatibility: Ensure the spare tire fits your vehicle.
- Condition: Regularly check the tire pressure and the jack’s functionality.
- Blanket or Warm Clothes (Variable: 7/10)
- Weather: Based on your local climate and season.
- Material: Choose thermal or weather-resistant materials.
- Non-Perishable Snacks and Water (Essential: 8/10)
- Shelf Life: Choose items with a long shelf life.
- Quantity: Store enough for at least 24 hours for each potential passenger.
- Tool Kit (Important: 7/10)
- Essentials: Include basic tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and an adjustable wrench.
- Size: Compact kits are preferable for easy storage.
- Portable Phone Charger (Important: 8/10)
- Capacity: Ensure it has enough power to fully charge your device.
- Compatibility: Must be compatible with your phone.
- Map and Compass (Variable: 6/10)
- Relevance: More important in areas with poor cellular service.
- Familiarity: Ensure you know how to use them if needed.
- Seat Belt Cutter and Window Breaker (Important: 7/10)
- Accessibility: Keep it within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat.
- Ease of Use: Test to ensure it can be used quickly and effectively.
This methodology is designed to ensure you have a well-rounded emergency kit tailored to your specific needs and local conditions. These items are crucial for handling common roadside emergencies and ensuring safety until help arrives.
Lifehammer Brand Safety Hammer
This vehicle escape tool has a double-sided steel hammer head on one end that can break windshield glass in case of an emergency. On the other end is a sharp tool that can cut through a seat belt.
Lifehammer Brand Safety Hammer
Battery Tender 3 AMP Car Battery Charger
Car batteries often die in cold weather. Having a battery charger like this one by Battery Tender can quickly and easily get you out of a jam if your battery dies. This model provides a full charge to your car, SUV, or truck battery, then switches to float mode to maintain the proper voltage.
Battery Tender 3 AMP Car Battery Charger
Cartman 39 Piece Tool Set
Keep essential tools like pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches in your vehicle for quick and easy access whenever you need them.
CARTMAN 39 Piece Tool Set General Household Hand Kit
First Alert EZ Fire Spray
This portable fire extinguisher is actually an aerosol can that can put out fires just as well as traditional fire extinguishers and are safe for having in cars. You get a pack of 2 from First Alert – the formula is biodegradable, non-toxic, and wipes clean.
First Alert EZ Fire Spray, Extinguishing Aerosol Spray
Waterproof Car First-Aid Kit
It’s always a good idea to have a first-aid kit in your vehicle! This one has 273 pieces of essential first aid items, such as bandages, an emergency blanket, a tourniquet, sterile wipes, a flashlight, and more.
Small-Waterproof Car First-Aid Kit Emergency-Kit
Energizer Heavy Duty Jumper Cables for Car Battery
Even if you have a car battery jumper like the one above, it’s not a bad idea to have a regular set of jumper cables as well. Just make sure you get the correct gauge for your vehicle.
Energizer Heavy Duty Jumper Cables for Car Battery
Twinkle Star Emergency Roadside Flares Kit
Whenever possible, you should use flares when you’re pulled over in your vehicle. These emergency flares are battery-operated, so they can be used over and over.
Twinkle Star Emergency Roadside Flares Kit
Jack Boss Scissor Tire Jack
A flat tire can happen to anyone at any time. In addition to always having a useable spare tire, you’ll need a jack to help you change a tire. While there are electric jacks on the market, we prefer manual ones, like the Jack Boss Scissor jack, in case of a situation where electricity isn’t available.
Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap
If your vehicle breaks down and you need to be towed, having your own tow strap is extremely convenient. Make sure the tow strap or chain you purchase is not only strong but can also withstand harsh weather, like our pick from Rhino USA.
GARAGE BOSS Press ‘N Pour Gas Can
Another item you should always have in your vehicle is a no-spill gas can. It is recommended that you carry at least a 3-gallon gas tank – this one actually holds 5 gallons. It is equipped with a simple press-button operation for flow control and no spills.
GARAGE BOSS GB351 Briggs and Stratton Press ‘N Pour Gas Can
Birdrock Folding Emergency Snow Shovel
Last but definitely not least, an emergency snow shovel can be incredibly helpful in your vehicle. This one by Birdrock is 34.25 inches long when fully extended, and folds in half for easy storage.
BIRDROCK HOME 34-inch Folding Emergency Snow Shovel
Some companies provide a pre-assembled car emergency kit. These can be helpful, as many of them contain some or most of the items above. They also come with a bag or box for storage, which is also convenient. Here are 3 of the best ones we found:
Remember to always follow the rules of the road, drive with caution, and refrain from driving if conditions are too harsh. But when you must drive in bad weather, or when winter weather happens unexpectedly, having a car emergency kit for the winter can really help you out if an accident happens.
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