Car Safety Kits: Don't Be Without These Essentials

While nobody hopes to have an automobile accident or experience other difficulties while on the road, that does not mean that being unprepared for such events is a wise idea. A wise idea would be to carry a car safety kit in every vehicle, and thus be prepared for a wide variety of emergencies. Like any contingency plan, finding the right balance when it comes to car safety kits can be a real challenge. After all, space and money are always in finite supply, and both of those interests directly oppose the ability to buy numerous items to put into a car safety kit.

This brings up the key questions: what should every car safety kit have, and why? The answers to these questions will depend partially upon how much space one can dedicate to a car safety kit, which will be very different for large SUV owners than owners of Mazda Miatas.

The first thing that all car safety kits should have is a set of jumper cables, especially when one happens to live in an area where the environment is not pleasantly cool during the majority of the year. Being stuck in a disabled vehicle can quickly become a safety hazard in the long, harsh, unforgiving deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Of course, the extreme cold experienced by the northern states can be equally dangerous to someone who cannot start their vehicle.

Arguably of equal importance would be a set of flares. Long lasting flares can burn for over 20 minutes, and it would probably be a good idea to invest in long-lasting flares whenever possible. A dark and stormy night can provide the limited visibility and dangerous driving conditions that conspire to put occupants of disabled vehicles at serious risk. This risk can be seriously mitigated by simply making the vehicle easier to see in adverse conditions.

While many people overlook a flashlight, there is no telling just when a flashlight will actually prove to be one of the most useful items in a car safety kit. For this reason alone, almost all pre-made car safety kits come with flashlights, and many SUVs are starting to ship with integrated flashlights and toolkits. On the subject of toolkits, it is also worth noting that a small toolkit can be very handy when only minor repairs will help restore a vehicle to operating order.

A pen and paper may also prove useful, especially if one finds themselves in the position where they have to abandon their vehicle and go search for help. Similarly, a blanket may also prove useful for waiting out a snowstorm or particularly cold rainstorm. If long waits might be likely, remember to pack hearty foodstuffs such as granola bars or trail mix. A small first aid kit complete with bandages may also be very useful in a car safety kit. The best tools to have any situation are typically those that allow one to call for help. A backup cellular phone battery and/or CB radio might prove to be sound investments.