Emergency kits are an important addition to any car, but it is especially important to have one during the winter months. Being stranded on the side of the road is bad in the spring or fall, but it can be downright dangerous in the summer and winter months. Even if you have OnStar, AAA, or a diminutive mechanic who rides along on your road trips, it doesn’t hurt to keep an emergency kit with the essentials.

All Year Round

You always need jumper cables, road flares, a first aid kit, a flashlight (with extra batteries), some tools (pliers, wrench, screwdrivers), a tire pressure gauge, a help sign, pen or pencils with paper, and a pocket knife. Of course, you should keep a cell phone on you at all times (though you shouldn’t talk on it or text on it while driving), and it doesn’t hurt to keep a cell phone car charger on hand in the event yours goes low on power.

A note on the first aid kit – you obviously need antiseptic cream or ointment, bandages, and aspirin or some other pain reliever, but it is a good idea to also have instant hot and cold compresses, gauze, and adhesive tape. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

It’s Up To You

Some people carry extra oil and antifreeze in their cars. Others think this practice is dangerous, and choose not to do so. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons, and if you have any questions speak to an automotive professional about the potential risks of carrying fluids around in your car.

Also, some people choose to keep bottled water in their vehicles. Some studies show that BPA, a chemical that can be released in bottled water, can become dangerous if heated up and cooled back down. This is problematic during the warmer months, and during the colder months water can freeze. Some people say that the best course of action is not to keep extra bottled water in the car, but to make sure you always bring water with you when you’re traveling. Keeping water in a cooler helps regulate the temperature.

Some people recommend that you keep a can of Fix-A-Flat in your car in case you get a flat tire. Be warned that many tire experts warn against such a product, as it can make the tire unfixable later. Not all flat tires are dead tires. Sometimes, if the flat is caused by a nail or screw in the tread of the tire, a tire expert can plug the hole, making it useable for a long period of time. Fix-A-Flat minimizes the potential of saving the tire. Some people suggest that you simply put on the spare tire and take the flat tire to a place that might be able to fix it.

For the Winter Months

It is good to keep a fleece blanket, and maybe even a warm jacket in your emergency kit in the event you are stuck in the cold and have to walk somewhere. Along that same thread, if you can procure some of those hand warmers you can find at sporting goods stores, those are good to ward off hypothermia and frostbite.

It’s also good to keep an ice scraper on hand if you run into icy or snowy weather.

Using your best judgment and staying prepared is the best way to be a safe motorist.

Author Bio: Jack Labens works for Empire Covers, a leading provider of car covers and accessories such as boat covers and truck bed covers. Empire Covers can be found online at: EmpireCovers.com or at their blog EmpireCovers-Blog.com .

Category: Automotive
Keywords: emergency kits, emergency kits for your car, your cars emergency kit, what to put in your emergency