The road is full of surprises, and every day that you’re out there in your car means something could always come up. How prepared you?
A huge part of a driver’s preparedness is having the right tools within reach for the most common scenarios on the road. It’s better to be proactive while waiting for help (or in worst-case scenarios, if help is not available for one reason or another).
These tools and items are lifesavers, in varying degrees, should the road hit you with an emergency:
1. First aid kit
The typical first aid kit includes sterile gauze dressings, adhesive bandages, disposable sterile gloves, general medication (paracetamol, aspirin), personal medication (asthma inhaler, EpiPen), tweezers, scissors, oral thermometer, eyewash and eyebath, among others. Be sure to regularly check your supplies and replace the items that have expired.
You can refer to this detailed list put together by the American Red Cross.
2. Flashlight (with batteries)
Whether you’re just going out to run a few errands before bed or driving home late at night from the airport or from a trip to another city, having a flashlight in your car (in addition to the penlight or smaller flashlight you have in your purse just gives you that reassurance that should there be a blackout or, heaven forbid, you get car trouble in a dark part of the road, you have a good source of light other than your cell phone flashlight. Just make sure to always have 2 sets of battery in your car as well.
3. Emergency car toolkit
If you encounter car trouble while you’re considerably far from a gas station or service shop, an emergency toolkit can reduce your hassle and worry. For a basic car toolkit, be sure to have the following:
- a pair of work gloves
- tire gauge,
- box cutter
- flat and slotted screwdrivers
- pliers
- duct tape
- a small wrench
- hex keys
While you’re at it, why not throw in an extra brake fluid, oil, and a small multi-tool.
4. Fire extinguisher
It makes perfect sense to keep a small fire extinguisher in your car since it is filled with gasoline and other combustible fluids.
5. Window/seatbelt escape device
The window breaker and seatbelt cutter is a small two-in-one item that could literally save your life. With it you can break a window if you ever end up trapped in your car—or worse, trapped in your car underwater (yes, just like in the movies). Plus, it’s relatively cheap. Not that you’d ever want to use it, but you should have one handy—as in near the driver’s seat where you can easily reach for it, preferably kept in place by Velcro or double-sided tape, or stored in the glovebox.
6. Jumper cables
A dead car battery can completely render your car useless as far as transportation goes. From there all sorts of problems and inconveniences arise. But if you have a set of jumper cables, you should be back on the road shortly and should make it to the nearest service shop. For these tools, it’s better to forgo the cheaper versions and opt instead for heavy-gauge cables with durable spring-loaded clamps on both ends.
7. Raincoat/poncho (in addition to an umbrella)
For most scenarios involving rain, an umbrella would work nicely. But if you should ever find yourself needing both of your hands free for, say, carrying packages, luggage, etc., or for checking a tire (and maybe needing to change it), a raincoat is more effective.
8. Road map and GPS unit
An old-school road map will not be your go-to map these days, but it’s still wise to keep one in your glovebox. Same goes for a GPS unit. A number of scenarios could lead to you being unable to use your phone, beginning with a dead battery, a power bank that you left at home on a day when you needed to take a long drive out to a strange city. (Yes, you can use your car’s USB port, but you probably shouldn’t.)
For peace of mind, and just for general convenience, have a road map and a GPS unit in your car.
9. Reflectors
Store a couple of triangular reflectors (to set up in front of and behind your car) in your trunk for when your car suddenly breaks down while you’re out in the highway or a busy street at night. These should give other drivers a timely heads-up of a stationary car ahead and prevent a collision, and a bigger traffic jam, not to mention injuries and car wrecks.
10. Tow strap
Made of extra-strong fabric, a tow strap is ideal for moving disabled cars within short to medium distances, thanks in no small part to that kind stranger in a pickup who stopped to help you get to the nearest mechanic or gas station. Or it could be you who finds yourself in a position to help, and your tow strap is exactly the thing that does the job. (Just make sure to read your owner’s manual to so you can find your car’s proper tie-down and tow points.
Being out on the road requires a healthy level of preparedness—not only because you may find yourself in an emergency situation where you would otherwise be left helpless but also because you may find yourself in a position to help.
It pays to be proactive while road assistance or some other form of help is still minutes away, or especially when minutes are ticking and you need to act.
For roadside assistance and other ancillary products, explore what EverCare has to offer. If you’re looking for coverage after your manufacturer’s warranty ends, consider EverCare Protection’s vehicle service contract plans.