Essential Items for Your Vehicle Emergency Supply Kit

Power - by Joe Weber - updated on 4/14/2025

Equipping your vehicle with a comprehensive emergency supply kit ensures safety and preparedness during unforeseen situations. Having the right tools and supplies can make a significant difference if you're facing a breakdown, adverse weather conditions, or other unexpected events. Below is a detailed guide to assembling a well-rounded vehicle emergency kit.

Basic Emergency Supplies

• First Aid Kit: Contains bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any necessary personal medications. You can assemble one yourself with these guidelines   or buy a pre-made kit   from the American Red Cross.
• Flashlight with Extra Batteries: Flashlights with some extra batteries are essential for nighttime emergencies and conserving your phone's battery.
• Cell Phone Charger: Portable Power Banks ensure your phone remains charged to call for assistance.
• Blanket: Provides warmth if you're stranded in cold conditions.
• Drinking Water and Non-Perishable Snacks: Stay fed and hydrated if help is delayed.

Tools and Equipment

• Spare Tire, Jack, and Lug Wrench: Necessary for changing a flat tire.
• Jumper Cables: Jumper cables are useful for jump-starting a dead battery when you have another vehicle present.
• Jump Starter: Jump starters take the hassle out of dead batteries. Just connect the jump starter to the dead battery and start the car. No need for another car. Most can even double as a portable charger for your electronics.
• Tire Pressure Gauge and Inflator: Flat tires happen, and tire inflators help maintain proper tire inflation.
• Basic Tool Kit: Includes screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, and duct tape for minor repairs.
• Tow Strap or Rope: Assists in towing your vehicle if it becomes stuck.

Safety and Visibility Items

• Reflective Triangles or Road Flares: Alerts other drivers during roadside emergencies.
• High-Visibility Vest: Enhances your visibility to other drivers.
• Whistle: Can be used to signal for help if needed.

Seasonal and Weather-Specific Items

• Ice Scraper and Snow Brush: For maintaining visibility during winter conditions.
• Traction Aids: Items like sand or non-clumping cat litter help gain traction on slippery surfaces.
• Rain Poncho or Umbrella: Useful during unexpected downpours.

Personal Care and Miscellaneous Items

• Personal Hygiene Items: Such as wet wipes, tissues, and hand sanitizer.
• Emergency Contact Information: Written list of contacts in case your phone loses power.
• Cash: Useful if electronic payment methods are unavailable.

You can get a lot of this gear in our Batteries Plus Roadside Emergency Kit. The kit comes loaded with a flashlight, batteries, reflective case, poncho, blanket, first aid kit, gloves, bungee cords, jumper cables, and a tow rope. All for only $35. Save over $30 versus buying all of these items separately.

Free Battery Testing at Batteries Plus

In addition to assembling an emergency kit, it's essential to ensure your vehicle's battery is in optimal condition. At Batteries Plus, we offer complimentary battery testing for cars and trucks. Our quick test can assess your battery's health, helping you avoid unexpected failures. If a replacement is necessary, we provide a wide range of high-quality batteries and offer professional installation services to get you back on the road safely.

Stay Prepared and Safe on the Road

Regularly inspecting and updating your emergency kit is essential, ensuring expired items are replaced and contents are adapted to seasonal needs. At Batteries Plus, we offer a wide selection of high-quality batteries, flashlights, and portable power solutions essential for your vehicle emergency kit. Check out our Automotive Center for all of the products we offer for your vehicle.

Don't forget to keep your battery terminals clean! Keeping your terminals free of corrosion and debris will help ensure a long-lasting battery. Pick up a battery terminal cleaning kit today. Not sure how to start? No problem. We've got you covered with a helpful step by step guide to cleaning your battery terminals.

Need more help? Stop into a Batteries Plus near you and get all the help you need from our battery experts. From testing to installation and expert guidance, we can help you through any battery situation you may run across.