Car emergency kit checklist: what to keep in your vehicle¶
Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.
A breakdown, a crash, or a long delay in bad weather can leave you stranded for hours. This page lists what to keep in your car so you can stay safe, warm, and reachable until help arrives.
If you only do three things¶
- Keep water, a blanket, a flashlight, and a phone charger in the car at all times.
- Add a warning triangle or flares so other drivers can see you.
- Check the kit each season and add winter items before cold weather starts.
The basic kit¶
Ready.gov recommends keeping a kit of emergency supplies in your car in case you are stranded. Tap each box as you pack the item.
- Water, at least 1 liter (about 1 quart) per person, in bottles that will not crack easily
- Non perishable food such as energy bars, nuts, or dried fruit
- A first aid kit (see the first aid kit checklist)
- A flashlight and spare batteries, or a crank flashlight
- A blanket or two
- Jumper cables
- A car phone charger and a charged power bank
- A reflective warning triangle or flares
- A paper map of your area
- A whistle to signal for help
- Gloves, and a pair of sturdy shoes
- A pen and paper
- A small tool kit, a tire pressure gauge, and a way to fix a flat
The water amount above is our suggestion for a short wait. Pack more if you drive through remote areas or very hot places, and replace water and food regularly.
Know your car¶
The kit helps, but a few habits matter just as much.
- Know where your spare tire, jack, and wheel wrench are, and how to use them
- Keep the fuel tank at least half full
- Keep copies of your insurance details and emergency contacts in the glove box
- Save your roadside assistance number in your phone
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive on long trips
For what to do when something goes wrong, read car breakdown and what to do after a car crash.
Winter additions¶
In cold places, a short wait can turn dangerous. Ready.gov lists an ice scraper, a blanket, and sand or cat litter for traction among its car items. Add these for winter.
- An ice scraper and a snow brush
- A small shovel
- Sand or cat litter, to spread under tires that are stuck on snow or ice
- Extra blankets or a sleeping bag
- Warm hats, gloves, scarves, and spare socks
- Hand warmers
- Extra snacks and water that will not freeze solid
- Tire chains, if your area requires or recommends them
Ready.gov also advises winter tires with enough tread, plus any chains or studs your local area requires. Keep the fuel tank full in winter, which also helps stop fuel lines freezing.
... warning "Never run the engine in a blocked tailpipe" If you are stuck in snow, check that snow is not blocking the tailpipe before you run the engine for warmth. A blocked tailpipe can let carbon monoxide build up inside the car. Run the engine only briefly, and crack a window. Read carbon monoxide for the warning signs.
Hot weather additions¶
In very hot places, add extra water, a sunshade, and light colored clothing or a hat. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a few minutes. See extreme heat for how heat affects the body.
If you are stranded¶
- Stay in the car if it is safe. It is easier for rescuers to find, and it protects you from weather.
- Turn on your hazard lights and place the warning triangle well behind the car if you can do so safely.
- Call your local emergency number or roadside assistance (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom).
- Stay clear of traffic. If the car is on a fast road, wait behind a barrier, away from the lane.
- Conserve your phone battery and use your charger sparingly.
Keep the kit fresh¶
Pick a regular date, such as when the clocks change, to go through your car kit. Replace food and water, test the flashlight, and swap seasonal items. Keep heavy items secured so they do not fly forward in a crash.
... tip "Make it a habit" Put a reminder in your phone twice a year. A kit that sits untouched for years is likely to have dead batteries and stale food.