Whether you're commuting to work or on a family road trip, you should always be prepared in case of an emergency while on the road. The easiest way to stay prepared is to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Let's talk about some of the items your kit should contain. Maintenance Tools Every vehicle emergency kit should contain some basic maintenance and repair tools. The most basic of these tools is your car's maintenance manual, your insurance card, and a business card for the local repair shop. While you might be able to look up this information on your smartphone, it's always a good idea to keep hard copies available. You never know when your phone service might go down. more The most common emergency you'll probably face while on the road is a flat tire, so be sure to keep a properly maintained spare tire, a tire jack, and a tire iron in your car. You'll also want to keep a can of Fix-A-Flat or other tire sealer in your car so you can plug any leaks. Make sure to get your car to a repair shop as soon as possible. It's never a good idea to drive too long on a spare tire or a tire with a leak. Doing so is dangerous and can actually damage your vehicle. Another common issue you might face is a dead battery. Make sure to keep jumper cables or an emergency battery booster handy. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with how those items work ahead of time so you don't panic in an emergency situation. Survival Items Hopefully, you don't get stranded in the middle of nowhere for long periods of time before help can arrive in an emergency. If you do find yourself in such a situation, having survival items on hand can make the circumstances less dire. Common survival items that you should keep in your kit include first aid equipment, a flashlight, matches, energy bars, and bottles of water. Paper maps are also essential. Again, you never know when your phone might go dead or service might not be available. If you're traveling through a cold climate, it's a good idea to have an ice scraper, a mylar space blanket, and extra clothes. Comfort Items Making sure you're comfortable, even in emergencies, can help you stay calm and relaxed. That's why it's a good idea to keep comfort items in your emergency kit. You'll probably end up wishing you had toilet paper, paper towels, an umbrella, or a phone charger, if you haven't already packed them in your car. It's also a good idea to keep a spare change of clothes handy. There's no reason to sit around in damp or dirty clothes if you don't have to. That would just add more stress to the situation. By making sure you're prepared for just about any emergency situations, you'll be able to drive with less stress and a lot more confidence. Image via Flickr by State Farm
