Emergency car kit

If you have a car, prepare an emergency car kit and keep it in the vehicle. The basic emergency kit for cars should include the following items:

• Food – that won't spoil, such as energy bars
• Water – in plastic bottles so they won't break if frozen (change every six months)
• Blanket
• Extra clothing and shoes
• First aid kit – with seatbelt cutter
• Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
• Candle in a deep can and matches
• Wind–up flashlight
• Whistle – in case you need to attract attention
• Roadmaps
• Copy of your emergency plan and personal documents

Also keep these inside your trunk:

• Sand, salt or cat litter (non clumping)
• Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning light or road flares

Print this page or download the Acrobat version of the car emergency kit checklist (PDF 521KB). Check off the items for your car emergency kit as you accumulate them.