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Junk in your trunk? 5 essentials to keep in your car

Junk in your trunk? 5 essentials to keep in your car

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It’s great to be out on the road, but one downside is that you can’t have everything you could possibly need like you do at home. From blizzards to getting in an accident, plenty of dangerous and unpleasant things can happen while you’re in your car. The best way to stay prepared is to create a compact but comprehensive emergency kit for your car. Here are eight things Robert J. DeBry recommends.

1. Car maintenance tools

Obviously, most cars should have a few things when you buy them, but here is a quick list of must-haves for quick repairs and on-the-road maintenance:

  • Paper towels
  • Washer fluid and water
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Spare tire in good condition
  • Owner’s manual
  • Jumper cables
Of course, the above list of specific items isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start in keeping you from getting stranded. After all, you can’t always count on the goodwill of someone else to change your tire when you get a flat.

2. Health and safety items

Some people get car sick, and others might receive an injury whether from an accident or other activity. Keep these helpful items in your car so that you’ll always have what you need.

  • First aid kit, including clean gauze and antiseptic
  • Hand-powered flashlight to avoid battery leakage
  • Energy bars or some form of nonperishable food
  • Water bottles and purifying tablets
  • Solar-powered radio for weather reports
  • Thermal blanket
Most of these items become useful when stranded or if you need a quick way to patch up any scrapes or cuts. Be wary of buying too much of anything or stocking up on large and bulky multitools. The key here is compact but useful. You never know when you might need some food stuck in a traffic jam, right?

Shutterstock
Shutterstock

3. Seasonal items

Even if nothing bad happens out on the road, these few things will keep you comfortable and feeling good in any situation. Make sure to keep the following in your car as the season requires.

  • Ice scraper
  • Umbrella
  • Cardboard or piece of carpet to remedy stuck tires
  • Sun shield
If you have room in your car, go ahead and keep all of the above items on hand year-round for optimal preparedness.

4. Odds and ends for comfort or convenience

You don’t have to have something bad happen to you to need a tissue while on the road. Here are some simple things to keep on hand.

  • Tissues
  • USB mobile device charger
  • Change of clothing
  • Maps (in case of no service)
  • Blanket
  • Spare change and emergency money
  • Plastic bags for trash or other items
With these things at your disposal, you’ll have what you need to take that epic road trip this fall.

Shutterstock
Shutterstock

5. Hazard-ready materials

Automobile accidents are a huge cause of injury and death, so it’s important to realize that you might meet with disaster. Hope for the best but expect for the worst, and pack these items along to stay safe.

Although there’s no way to avoid any form of hazards while driving, you can take steps to protect yourself with defensive driving and a comprehensive preparedness kit. Use these ideas and lists to create a personal emergency kit for your car. If you’ve been in an accident and need legal advice, contact Robert J. DeBry to answer your questions.

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Robert J. DeBry and Associates

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