Wherever your destination, it’s important to store essentials in your car which could be useful in an emergency situation. From a torch to a spare wheel, keeping what you need to hand will help to keep you and your passengers safe.

As much as we don’t like to think about it, accidents and breakdowns happen. We’ve put together a list of all the necessary supplies, items, and accessories you should aim to keep in your car. They could make a huge difference if you find yourself stranded. 

 Jump leads

Used to jumpstart flat batteries with the help of another driver’s car, jump leads let you get back on the road quickly and safely. Available in various lengths and amperages, it’s important to make sure that you source the right jump leads for your car.

Batteries easily lose power in cold snaps. Keeping jump leads in your boot helps to get you moving again if your battery dies. As there aren’t always people around to assist you with a flat battery, it may be worth keeping a portable battery pack with you.

 First aid kit

If you’re unfortunate enough to be involved in a traffic accident, having a first aid kit on board will allow you to tend to minor wounds whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

Make sure your kit is stocked with the basics you might need, like plasters, pain relief, bandages etc. It may also be practical to keep a stock of your personal medications, just in case.

 Phone charger

Sometimes, car journeys can take longer than planned. Traffic jams build up quickly behind an incident, and it’s not easy to know how long you might be waiting for the queue to clear.

Your phone could be a lifesaver in an emergency, and you don’t want a dead battery if you need to call for assistance. So, keep a portable charger in your vehicle. Make sure you also have a charger cable for your phone which is compatible either with the 12c socket or a USB socket and leave a spare cable in your glove box. 

 Torch

We know most smartphones have a torch these days. However, it’s wise to have either a battery powered or wind-up torch as back up. A torch will help massively if you’re having to fumble around your car looking for something, or you need to find a safe space to wait for recovery at night.

As wind up torches don’t require batteries, they are suited for storage in the car until called for.

 Duct tape

Believe it or not, one day you could be driving down the road and find that something important unexpectedly falls off your vehicle. From wing mirrors and engine undertrays to wheel trims and exhausts, you’d be surprised by how many different things it could be. If safe to do so, you’ll want to pick up whatever’s dropped onto the road and tape it back on until you can take your car to the garage. 

 Water

Always take a bottle of water in the car with you. If you’re stranded, it’ll help to keep you, and any passengers, hydrated – especially on a hot summer’s day. Not only that, but water can be vital in an emergency if there’s a wound to clean or you have to top up your radiator or windscreen washer. Try to keep a reusable bottle in the car and swap out the water regularly to keep it fresh.

 Tyre pump

Most local petrol stations have tyre inflators on the forecourt, which is great if your pressures have dropped, and your tyres need re-inflating. However, a slow puncture could mean that a flat tyre seems to come out of nowhere. If you’re driving and find that your car has a flat tyre, a tyre pump will come in very handy indeed.

 Warning triangle

If your car breaks down, putting out a warning triangle behind it makes approaching drivers aware that you have had to stop. It can be a real lifesaver! In fact, if you carry two triangles, you can place them at separate intervals in line with the centre of your car.

Be incredibly careful when placing your triangles – don’t place them too close to the side of the road, and never attempt to use them on the motorway.

 An empty fuel can

If you’re the kind of person who will take a chance on an almost-drained tank of fuel, an empty fuel container will be very handy if your car comes to a halt. You can take it with you on your quest for fuel and use it to fill your tank back up. Never use your fuel can to transport fuel around in your car - it’s a very real fire hazard! A fuel can should only ever be carried on foot and used as a last resort.

 Ice scraper and de-icer

Extreme weather can cause a headache for drivers. Sometimes, you won’t even realise how cold it is until you get to your car and it’s completely iced up. Having the right tools on hand will make clearing the frost much easier, so make sure you have de-icer and an ice scraper in the car.

A scraper will help you remove any snow on your glass, whilst de-icer will speed up the process of melting any stubborn patches of ice. Armed with both, you’ll be able to clear the windows quickly and you won’t need to wait for your car to heat up and thaw the ice itself.

Seeing clearly whilst driving is vital, so don’t set off until your windscreen is back to normal. 

 Sunglasses

Bright sunlight can be very distracting when you’re driving. Even though your car has a sun visor, it’s not always possible to get it at the right angle to block glare completely. That’s why keeping a pair of sunglasses to hand is a good idea – putting them on will help improve your visibility in tricky conditions.

 Hi vis clothing

It’s vital that you stay safe when you’re at the side of the road. High visibility clothing helps to make sure you can easily be seen, especially at night or in the rain.

The brighter your vest is, the better. Usually yellow or orange, your choice of vest should also have reflective silver strips, as they will help to make sure that other motorists can spot you. Make sure you have enough vests for all of your passengers.

 Screenwash

Screenwash helps to keep your windscreen clear so you can see where you’re going at all times, it’s especially handy in snow, sleet, and rain. Water doesn’t do the job as well as a proper screenwash, which can also help to clear mud and bird droppings fast. Make sure you carry screenwash with you and top up your reservoir when needed.

 Breakdown provider’s contact details

Don’t be that person who takes out breakdown cover but can’t call on it when needed because they don’t have the details on them. Storing this information in your phone is a great first step, but what happens if your phone’s battery has run out? For that reason, always keep a physical copy of your breakdown provider’s details in your car. You’ll want to note down your policy number to speed up their response.

You should also keep a copy of your insurance provider’s details in your vehicle, as well as those of emergency contacts.

 Spare clothes

Whether you’re caught out in the rain or slip in some mud, a change of clothes is always sensible. It gives you a chance to change out of wet, dirty things and into an outfit that’s dry and comfortable for your onward journey.

 Blanket

Breaking down in the winter can mean a long, cold wait. You’ll need to be able to keep both yourself and your passengers warm during this time if your car’s heater isn’t working. A blanket will help to preserve heat, as will wearing hats and gloves.

 Car manual

Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore Swinton Insurance cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.