Car Emergency Kit
A breakdown, crash or storm can leave you stuck on the roadside for hours. A small kit in your vehicle helps you stay visible, stay warm or cool, treat minor injuries and get moving again. It costs little and fits in a trunk or under a seat.
- All drivers
- Work vehicles
- Home & family
Photo: car emergency kit laid out: triangles, jumper cables, first aid kit, flashlight, blanket and water
Basic kit (all year)
- Phone charger and cable (or a portable battery pack)
- Flashlight with extra batteries, or a hand-crank light
- Reflective warning triangles or flares
- High-visibility vest
- First aid kit, including any personal medicines
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Tire pressure gauge, and a working spare tire, jack and lug wrench
- Basic tools: multi-tool, duct tape, zip ties
- Seat belt cutter and window breaker within the driver’s reach
- Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
- Paper map of your area
- Emergency contact list and insurance information
Winter additions
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Small shovel
- Sand or cat litter for traction
- Warm blankets, hat, gloves and extra socks
- Hand warmers
- Extra washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures
See Winter Driving and Winter Storms.
Summer additions
- Extra water
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A sunshade for the windshield
- Cooling towel
Work vehicles
Company vehicles should also carry a fire extinguisher, a larger first aid kit, a bleeding control kit if the crew is trained, and any items your employer’s driving policy requires. See First Aid Basics and Bleeding Control.
Keep it ready
- Check the kit twice a year, such as when clocks change
- Replace used items and expired food, water and medicine
- Test the flashlight and charge the jump starter
- Check the spare tire’s pressure
For your home, see Home Emergency Kit.
Standards & references
Last updated: