You can’t rely on a fictional robot like Doraemon to help you out in real life. Instead, you need to be prepared by keeping essential items to hand for those occasions when you might need them. While you can usually find what you need at home, a well-chosen selection of supplies in your trunk can be crucial in unexpected situations on the road. Since you can’t predict when you’ll face a problem, having these items readily available will help you handle most emergencies.
Tire Kit
In May 2024, Hankook Tire’s latest gauge index found that 41% of drivers in America had a flat tire in the last year. Isn’t that a big number? Well, you may be one of those drivers, and on a day like that, having a tire kit in your trunk will be your greatest blessing. Besides a spare tire, you must keep a tire kit in the trunk. Its contents include a tire gauge, jack, lug wrench, work gloves, and tire sealant.
Jumper Cables
A dead battery can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere more often than you think. It is a very common issue in older cars, especially during wintertime. Jumper cables help you bring your battery back to life by connecting it to the battery of another vehicle. So, keeping these cables with heavy-duty clamps in your trunk is necessary.
Flashlight
Car problems never look for an appropriate time to come. So, we recommend keeping a flashlight with a minimum 500-lumen light intensity in your trunk. Waterproof flashlights are the best option if you live in a rainy and humid region.
Basic Tool Kit or Multi-tool Device
A multi-tool is a pocket-size gadget with several tools that can be pushed out with a single press. Swiss Army Knives and Leatherman help people in emergencies. Nowadays, many small basic tool kits are available. Look for the one that includes a screwdriver, wrench, pliers, duct tape, and cable ties. It helps with the temporary car repair, allowing you to reach the mechanic safely.
Hazard Cones or Triangles
Roadside repairs can leave you in a dangerous situation. Hazard cones or triangles around the car can warn traffic to stay away from the spot, ensuring safety.
First Aid Kit
Your trunk shouldn’t be all about the car issues because it’s not just your car – you may even encounter an accident or some health condition on the road. The first aid kit in the car trunk is a non-negotiable; it must always be there to help you. The kit should include gauze pads, tapes, bandages, alcohol wipes, small scissors, tweezers, and a few ointments. You can add more products based on your medical history.
A Spare Change of Clothes
You never know when life will spill something at you; therefore, you should be ready for it. Always keep a spare change of clothes in case you get your outfit dirty and need to change on the go.
Fire Extinguisher
Fortunately, you don’t often encounter situations that require a fire extinguisher in the car. While it’s rare, it can still happen. And then, the small water bottles are unlikely to help you extinguish the fire. Fire extinguishers efficiently help fight a fire that might otherwise be life-threatening.
Blanket
You might frown upon the idea of a blanket in the trunk. Who needs a blanket in a car’s controlled environment? Well, it turns out that everyone who gets his car broken down on a chilly day longs for it. They also make your vehicle a comfy spot to enjoy a rainy day on the road with a cup of coffee. Just turn your car into a camper, wrap yourself in the blanket, and make a memory for life.
Traction Aid
According to Market Watch, 21% of all the yearly accidents in the U.S. are weather-based, and snow, sleet, and slippery surfaces are the culprits in over half a million of those. What comes handy whenever you are stuck in snow or on slippery roads? A traction aid! The market offers traction aid mats you can spread in front of the car to get it out of any mess. Alternatively, you can consider sand, salt, and kitty litter to give the tires a good grip. You can also use some large sandbags to improve the overall traction.
Car Escape Tool
The best idea is to attach the car escape tool to your keychain so that it’s close when you get into an accident. However, keep a spare one in your trunk if you can access the trunk from the rear seats.
Waterproof Raincoat
When your car breaks down midway on a rainy day, and you need to step out of it to repair or diagnose the fault, the raincoat in the trunk will be a life savior.
Road Flares
Road flares help you get the aid in emergencies. A set of six will be enough to draw attention. Nowadays, companies like Tobfit offer flares with several flash modes, including the universal distress code S.O.S.
A Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
It can be frustrating to discover that your child has scattered popcorn all over the car just as you’re about to drop them off at daycare, and then head to pick up an important client from the airport. But not to worry! With a portable car vacuum cleaner in your trunk, you can quickly clean up the mess and be ready to go in no time.
Snow Shovel
A snow shovel helps you remove the snow around before using traction if you are stuck in a snowstorm. It’s a significant winter essential, and you should consider the one with a comfortable grip and durable material. Collapsible shovels help you save some room.
Trunk Organizer
You don’t want things messed up back there to the point that you fail to find the product you had kept to use in an emergency. So, a trunk organizer is another essential component to have in your trunk. The durable and folding organizers have pockets to accommodate the products, keeping the space mess-free.
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Zainab Noor is a motoring journalist. Childhood rides in Nissan Almera fueled her love for cars. After graduating from AIOU in 2021, she steered her passion into freelance writing. You can find Zainab on LinkedIn.
