Having a well-stocked emergency roadside kit in your vehicle is essential for all travelers, whether going on short errands across town or embarking on a long road trip across the country. You never know when disaster might strike in the form of a flat tire, dead battery, or minor accident far from home. Being prepared and self-reliant with basic tools and supplies can make a stressful situation safer and easier to remedy. This article will explore the components of a comprehensive on-the-go emergency kit, recommended products for different trip lengths and vehicle types, as well as tips for assembling your own tailor-made roadside survival kit. Let’s start our journey on the road to preparedness and safety.
Why Every Traveler Needs a Roadside Emergency Kit
Emergencies happen more often than you might think. Studies show that approximately 11% of travelers will experience a flat tire in any given year, and at least several million individual breakdown incidents occur annually in the US alone. Having a few vital items on hand in your car or truck can save the day and get you back on the road quickly when disaster does strike. Furthermore, roadside safety is greatly improved by tools like flashlights, flares, and reflective gear that make you and your vehicle more visible at night or in hazardous conditions.
Essential Items in a Roadside Emergency Kit
Safety and Visibility Tools
No roadside kit is complete without a set of reflective triangles or flares and other gear to make you more visible at the breakdown site day or night. A bright vest, flashing hazard lights, waving flashlight and reflective cones quickly notify passing traffic of the stalled car and helps prevent secondary accidents. These visibility tools are especially essential at night or in bad weather when visibility is poor. Also pack a set of sturdy flashlights with extra batteries in case you get stranded after dark and need illumination while repairing your vehicle. Choose LED flashlights for the longest battery life and brightest, farthest reaching light.
Basic Repair and Maintenance Tools
The second mandatory category of emergency roadside kit components focuses on DIY repairs of minor vehicle issues. Pack jumper cables that are long enough to reach another vehicle’s battery terminals to jump start your battery after accidental draining or normal depletion over time. Newer portable jump starter packs work without another vehicle present and contain their own internal battery supply to resuscitate a dead one.
First Aid and Personal Items
Unfortunately, vehicle issues sometimes result in minor injuries that require first aid, so having a fully stocked medical kit is essential. Pack gauze, bandages, antiseptic wipes, latex gloves, trauma shears, ice packs, and other supplies to treat any cuts, burns, or sprains until full medical care can be reached. Emergency thermal blankets, hand/foot warmers, gloves, and extra non-cotton layers also protect from hypothermia or frost bite in cold climates. Bottled water and non-perishable snacks provide sustenance if stranded for long periods far from stores or restaurants.
Miscellaneous Essentials
Some small miscellaneous items round out your roadside survival preparedness toolkit. A multi-tool or small set of basic hand tools like pliers, box cutters and adjustable wrenches enable minor vehicle repairs. Pack non-perishable nutrition like energy bars as well as several bottles of water – dehydration and hunger quickly set in if trapped roadside for longer than expected. Other useful items include paper towels, a basic disposal camera or smartphone adapter to document accident details, emergency rain ponchos, and more.
Seasonal Considerations
Emergency roadside kit checklists also differ somewhat depending on the region and season. Those traveling through notoriously snowy zones in winter should pack an ice scraper, portable shovel, kitty litter or sand (to sprinkle beneath tires stuck in snow or mud), instant chemical warm packs, thick insulating gloves, wool socks, winter boots, and other protective cold weather gear. Warmer climates call for plenty of extra hydrating beverages, sun protective hats and shades, high SPF sunscreen, and portable pop-up reflective sun shades or umbrellas in case you must wait by your vehicle for extended help to arrive.
Top Recommended Roadside Emergency Kits
If assembling a roadside preparedness toolkit sounds daunting, several reputable auto brands and third party companies now sell pre-made emergency car kits for every type of traveler. Top recommended all-in-one products earn high marks for their comprehensive inclusion of all the safety, repair, first aid, and convenience items described in previous sections. Below is a comparison of top-rated roadside emergency kits for every travel scenario:
For everyday in-town driving
The AAA Roadside Emergency Kit rates as highly portable, affordable roadside safety kit containing reflective triangles, jumper cables, first aid supplies and more bare essentials. The convenient soft-sided backpack easily fits in tiny trunks.
All-purpose mid-range road trips
The Everlit Emergency Roadside Assistance Kit draws praise for packing more robust offerings like work gloves, emergency blankets, fix-a-flat tire spray and detailed instructions for less common roadside repairs the average drivers may encounter mid-road trip if not auto savvy. Durable case keeps contents organized and protected from elements in back of SUVs.
Extended tours off the beaten path
Serious road warriors venturing far into backcountry for days at a time should choose a kit like the Monook All-Purpose Emergency Kit for Vehicles. It earns its name by cramming in everything from tire sealant to flares, first aid items, light sticks, food bars, Storage packs efficiently inside its own cargo bag for easy transport and quick retrieval of any item even in tight cargo spaces.
DIY vs Pre-Assembled Kits
The main decision becomes whether to piece together your own custom roadside kit or purchase an all-inclusive pre-packed product. Building your own allows you to tailor exactly what components suit your unique skill level, travel duration and vehicle type. However, the pre-made route saves tons of thought, effort and time while still guaranteeing you have vital emergency gear at the ready for any roadside catastrophe that comes along. Fortunately most universal pre-made auto emergency kits cost under $100, cheaper than replacing a damaged tire or paying for a tow truck if caught empty-handed in a bind. Evaluate your individual mechanical prowess and packing diligence before deciding whether to DIY or buy pre-assembled protection.
Maintenance and Regular Checks
Similar to fire extinguishers in your home or freshness dates inside medicine cabinets, roadside emergency supplies need periodic inspections and replenishing to keep their effectiveness. Recheck your emergency car kit at least twice annually for any depleted bottles of stale water, expired glow sticks and first aid components, corroded or drained batteries in flashlights or jumper packs, dried out adhesive and patches inside tire repair kits or other oxidation. Also confirm you still have any seasonal accessories needed for upcoming travels through cold winter landscapes or scorching, sun-drenched summertime desert highways. Quick periodic refreshers guarantee you stay properly outfitted for handling the next unforeseen automotive catastrophe away from home.
Conclusion
Emergencies strike when least expected, so prepare now before hitting the road on short or long-ranging journeys. Even basic supplies dramatically improve safety along the roadside until help can arrive. Evaluate your individual travel patterns and pack essential life-saving gear like flashlight, road flares, first aid supplies, tire inflator/sealant, jumper cables and more. For longer epic trips far from big cities also consider GPS maps, food supplies and extra vehicle fluids. Protect yourself on any trip by keeping your pack freshly replenished and sorted for easy access when catastrophe strikes. Drive safely in the knowledge that you can now handle minor issues confidently if stranded miles from home.