Always Keep in Your Car - 

Emergencies happen. You can be the most careful driver in the world but that doesn’t mean you won’t come face-to-face with a situation in which you need help. A little preparation can go a long way in making sure you don’t get stuck on the side of the road with no cell phone service and a busted car. No one wants to deal with that!

Here are a few items you should always, always keep in your car so you’ll never be left wishing you’d thought ahead.

A Spare Tire: Duh. You already know this one and fortunately most cars are equipped with spare tire slots in the trunk or even attached to the back gate. Just make sure you replace your spare if you ever use it in an emergency – and don’t drive on your spare for extended periods of time! They’re not made for distance, they’re made to get you to a garage.

Jumper Cables: Jumper cables are incredibly small, they’re super cheap, and they could really get you out of a bind. Not only that, but having a spare set in your trunk means you get to help other stranded motorists when they need it most! Good karma comes back around.

First Aid Kid: And no, this isn’t to help sew your arm back on in the case of a serious accident. First aid kits come in handy all the time when you’re out and about, from a band-aid for your new-shoe blister to a pack of Advil for a sudden headache. And the truth is, first aid kits are tiny and cheap. Don’t get stuck without one!

Flashlight: Keep this in your console or glove box, not the trunk. You’ll be happy to have a flashlight if you ever break down at night or, worse, if you crash somewhere without much light. Your light needs to be easy to access in case you’re trapped in your vehicle and can help you find your way as well as signal rescuers who’re looking for you.

Bottled Water: Likewise, you should keep at least one or two bottles (or better yet, gallons) of water sealed and in your vehicle. If you find yourself trapped in your vehicle after an accident you never know how long it might take for help to come. Fresh water could save your life.

Window-Breaker: Sure this may seem worst-case-scenario but it’s one of those things you’ll be eternally grateful you have if you ever need it. Most window-breakers also double as seatbelt cutters, both of which can come in handy in an accident. Keep it within arm’s reach while you’re driving so you can quickly break a window in you happen to crash into water.

Emergency Cash: You should stash a $100 bill somewhere in your vehicle in case you ever need it. Maybe you pop a tire in a small town where the repairman only takes cash or maybe you need to pay off a tow truck to drive you that extra 20 miles to town. As long as you only break into the money if you need it you’ll never regret having it just in case. (Just don’t forget to take it out if you ever get rid of your car!)

Reflective Triangles: We know, we know, these seem so over the top but if your car ever stalls out on a busy highway you’ll want some way to warn the cars behind you that you’re motionless at night. It’s incredibly unsettling how unsafe you feel when you’re stationary while cars whiz by you at 70 miles per hour.

What did we forget? Of course, an extra cell phone battery, a blanket, and a tow strap are all advisable but they didn’t make our short list of must-haves. Tell us in the comments what emergency items you always keep in your car.