Emergency Car Kits: Stay Prepared on the Road

01-23-2025

Car travel is a convenient part of everyday life, but you’re vulnerable out on the road. Emergencies can strike unexpectedly, ranging from vehicle breakdowns to natural disasters. A well-stocked emergency car kit can help get you through a crisis.

You deserve peace of mind, whether on a long-haul road trip or your daily commute. Emergency car kits from EmergencyKits.com are professionally designed and give you tools to stay safe and make vehicle repairs.

Why Every Vehicle Needs an Emergency Car Kit

Most car rides are uneventful, taking you smoothly from point A to point B. However, some trips are interrupted by flat tires, dead batteries, broken brakes, accidents, and damage or delay due to inclement weather. In some cases, you might even find yourself caught in a natural disaster while on the road, such as a flash flood, wildfire, or snowstorm.

In 2024, the American Automobile Association rescued more than 570,000 stranded drivers during the Thanksgiving season alone. From 2007 to 2016, the Department of Transportation found there were 1,235,145 crashes due to poor weather conditions. Issues on the road are an unavoidable aspect of car travel.

Being prepared for the realities of the road keeps you safe. An emergency kit is a must for every car owner. A car emergency kit provides essential supplies to handle these unexpected situations, from mechanical failures to extreme weather events.

What Should Be in Your Emergency Car Kit?

Keep supplies on hand that help out in an emergency. Your exact needed supplies will depend on typical passenger count, passenger age, possible weather, and vehicle type. For example, if you often travel with children, you’ll need a KidPack with child-sized supplies and age-appropriate emergency information.

We’ve assembled a list of basics that every vehicle kit should have. Many of the below supplies are included in the car kits from EmergencyKits.com or are available on the website.

Basic Survival Essentials

After a breakdown or weather event, you may have to shelter in place for a few days. In this situation, basic survival materials are essential. Include emergency food, water, and shelter supplies like the following:

  • High-Calorie Food Rations
  • Emergency Water Cans, Bottles, or Pouches
  • Hand Warmers
  • Waterproof Ponchos
  • Survival Blankets
First Aid Supplies

You may require specific first aid supplies based on your needs and medications, but there are some basics that everyone should keep and maintain. Our Basic First Aid Kit comes in many of our emergency car kits and includes the following:

  • Zip Lock Bags
  • Cleansing Towelettes
  • Tweezers
  • Sheer Plastic Adhesive Bandages
  • Sheer Spot Bandages
  • Adhesive Fabric Knuckle Bandages
  • Sheer Plastic Adhesive Bandages
  • Butterfly Wound Closures
  • BZK Antiseptic Towelettes
  • First Aid Burn Creams
  • Basic First Aid Kit Card
Roadside Assistance Tools

After everyone’s warm, fed, and safe, you can focus on making automobile repairs. Stay stocked with roadside assistance tools and materials that notify other drivers of your situation.

  • Jumper Cables
  • Reflective Triangles
  • Flasher Flare
  • Tow Ropes
  • Work Gloves
Navigation and Communication

Waiting it out may not be an option, and a cell phone can run out of power quickly. Keep supplies that help you communicate with other drivers and send out an SOS.

  • Flashlights with Extra Batteries
  • Walking Cane
  • Emergency Whistle
  • A Hand-Crank or Battery-Powered Radio
  • Distress Banner
Additional Items for Extended Emergencies

These extra tools may come in handy when you’re stranded.

The Advantages of Premade Emergency Car Kits

At EmergencyKits.com, we understand the importance of being prepared for any situation. Our preassembled car emergency kits are designed to meet a range of needs. They come in various sizes and price options to suit every budget.

These premade solutions keep you safe and ready on the road.

Time-Saving and Convenient

Preparing your own DIY emergency vehicle kit requires the following:

  1. Researching what you need
  2. Finding quality, reliable materials
  3. Purchasing supplies from multiple retailers
  4. Vetting all materials live in the field to ensure they work as intended
  5. Packing in a secure and thoughtful manner

This is a regular process for the avid survivalist or emergency expert, but for most people, it’s a hassle. You can avoid the stress of sourcing and assembling supplies with a professionally assembled emergency kit.

Professionally Curated for Maximum Coverage

A professional emergency kit ensures you have all the essentials without missing critical items. What good is a flashlight without the proper batteries? How can you safely attach a tow line without a safety vest?

Emergency preparation experts see all eventualities and allow you to drive with peace of mind, knowing that you’re prepared for every outcome. Some of the kits at EmergencyKits.com come with educational information, as well. This content prepares you to act efficiently and safely during an emergency.

High-Quality Components

Kits from trusted providers like EmergencyKits.com are tested for reliability and durability. It’s challenging and frustrating to overcome a ripped poncho or broken radio in a moment of need.

Our equipment is vetted and sourced from top suppliers. These tools won’t break down when you need them.

Compact and Portable Design

Premade kits are designed for easy storage in your vehicle without taking up too much space. You may need a specially designed compact car emergency kit for one person or an all-season kit with enough supplies for two people to last three days.

A premade kit is intelligently packed and stores all the supplies for your unique situation.

Confirmed Expiration

Some kit supplies will expire, including:

  • Water
  • Food
  • Batteries
  • Warmers
  • Duct Tape
  • Some Medications

A professional premade kit will label materials with expiration details and prepare you to re-stock when necessary.

Tips for Keeping Your Emergency Car Kit Ready

Having a professional car kit will help keep you and your loved ones safe. However, there are further steps you can take that fully prepare you for an emergency. Go the extra mile by using the following tips:

  1. Store it in an easily accessible location, such as the trunk or under a seat.
  2. Regularly check for labeled expired items and replace them as needed.
  3. Customize your kit with additional items specific to your region or travel needs (e.g., snow chains or insect repellent).
  4. Practice using your stored car tools, radio, and medical kit.
  5. Store extras of any medications near your kit.
  6. Inform your passengers (including children) where the kit is in case of emergency.
  7. Add personal non-emergency items such as a book or game.
  8. Add a printed list of emergency contacts with their numbers and addresses.
  9. Add a map of your most frequented areas.

Be Road-Ready with the Right Emergency Car Kit

Be proactive and use common sense preparation tips to prepare for road emergencies. EmergencyKits.com offers high-quality premade car kits designed for all scenarios, including a standard kit, a kit for seniors, a three-person kit, and more.

You deserve to feel safe and secure on the road. Emergencies happen, but you can be prepared. Browse the selection of ready-made emergency kits and equip your vehicles with road-ready emergency solutions.