Emergency items to keep in your trunk | OK Carz

man sitting on the ground in front of his broken down vehicle

What to keep in your car for an emergency 

Disaster can strike at any moment. Your vehicle could run out of gas or break down on the side of the road at any time. If something bad does happen to your vehicle, it is important to be prepared. When you’re prepared, you won’t have to be as worried about getting stranded, and you can be comfortable in the knowledge that you have everything you need to confront the situation.  

There are some things that everyone should have in their vehicle, like the owner’s manual, and a spare tire. Other vehicle maintenance items like jumper cables, engine oil, and transmission fluid can also be useful if you are able to diagnose and quickly fix what is wrong with your vehicle. Otherwise, here are some items that can help you stay safe if you get stranded on the side of the road. 

First Aid Kit

While it would be useful to have a first aid kit with you at all times, it could be cumbersome. However, keeping one in your car can make you a hero in an emergency situation, even if that emergency is just a skinned knee. While some may feel confident with having a wad of paper towels and duct tape, a good first aid kit will at least include gauze, medical tape, self-adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, elastic bandage wrap and pain relievers.  

Cell phone charger

Gone are the days where you could walk a couple of miles and find a pay phone if you get in a bind. While most people have cell phones, so pay phones aren’t really needed, if your phone runs out of battery you’ll be stuck with no way of contacting help. A portable phone charger can help keep your phone alive, or you can opt for a solar or crank powered charger that doesn’t rely on remembering to recharge the charger.  

Emergency Food and Water 

Food and water are essential to staying alive, so keeping some non-perishable snacks and a sturdy water bottle in your vehicle could save your life. While it is unlikely that you’ll be stranded for multiple days, it is possible, and it is always smart to be prepared.  

Flashlight

Most cell phones have a flashlight function that can provide light in a pinch. However, if you’re stuck on low battery or with a dead phone, having a flashlight can be immeasurably useful if you experience vehicle difficult at night. If you already have a flashlight, be sure to check the batteries regularly. 

man pushing his green sedan up a hill

[Related: How to make a budget]

Avoiding an emergency 

While it is impossible to tell if and when your vehicle might break down, if your vehicle is getting up there in years, you should consider replacing it. While purchasing a new vehicle is not something to do on a whim, you can visit OkCarz at one of its five locations to view a wide variety of used models that will fit your budget.   

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