What's in your car's emergency kit?

If you or someone you know travels a lengthy distance or commutes on a daily basis, an emergency car kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road quickly, and being stranded for hours while you wait for help, oftentimes in dangerous conditions. Follow these tips to be road-ready this summer!

These are essential items to carry with you whenever you leave on a journey in your car:

• Jumper Cables. If you visit your local car accessory supply store, you can choose between ordinary jumper cables and ones that are attached to a small, portable lithium battery. A lithium-ion portable battery can also be used to recharge your smart devices and laptops. The catch is that you must remember to charge your battery recharger before you leave. If you really want extra good Samaritan points, you can carry heavy-duty jumper cables as well, in case you meet a trucker who has a flat battery.​
• Triangular reflectors or flares. Essential nighttime travel equipment.
• Motor oil. You should include at least one quart of motor oil in the kit. If it has been used to top up your engine in the last few months, remember to buy a new one before a long journey.
• Coolant. Again, make sure there is not less than one gallon.
• First Aid Kit.
• Blankets. If you want to be prepared for any eventuality, pack a space blanket as well.
• Flashlight and Batteries. If you buy one of those extra-large flashlights with heavy casing, it can double up as an excellent baton to wield for protection.
• Tool kit. Don’t cut corners here. Make sure your tool kit includes the whole nine-yards: adjustable wrench, screwdriver set, pliers, plastic ties, and a multi-purpose pocket knife.
• Flat Tire Kit. This should include a can of tire inflator, a sealant, and a pair of gloves to protect your hands.
• Tire Pressure Gauge. It can double up to check your bicycle tire pressure when you are at home.
• Paper Towels. Make sure it’s a durable and strong paper towel brand with super absorbency.
• Washer fluid. Fill up a reusable spray bottle with a mix of washer fluid and water.
• Ice scraper. Check you have one of these if you are traveling from a warm climate into a colder one.
• Windscreen cleaner liquid and Squeegee. This time, if you are moving from a colder climate into a hot and dusty one, pack a spray bottle of window cleaner ready mixed and a squeegee into your roadside kit.
• Pen and Paper.
• Energy bars. Remember to replace these with new, fresh ones every month.
• Water.

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