You need one too!

wrecked car a few years ago, poor neon. I drove you for years...
Centralia, Missouri
November 30, 2015 11:21am CST
Everyone needs an emergency kit in their vehicle. You never know when something like this photo will happen to you (yeah I did that, and I was mostly fine, just a cracked wrist and lots of bruising). I don't just mean bandaids and such. I mean supplies incase you get stuck, stranded, lost, in an accident, or the crash of civilization as we know it. I need to reset this up for my truck that I now drive, and for the kia that hubby drives. I want a blanket for both, plus a change of clothes in a backpack, first aid kit, protein bars, bottles of water, ice scraper, oil for the vehicle, a rainslicker. I also want to have a small box with some basic medicine, pain killer, tummy trouble stuff, etc. What else do you think needs to be in this kit? Also, do you have one? Do you think you need one if you do not? Weigh in! things added from ya'll Flashlight flares emergency contacts fire (matches, lighter) flares towels flat fix jumper cables duct tape knife blanket first aid kit (one I make with more than the prebought ones have in them) little fire extinguisher water snacks in vermin proof container TP burner cell disposable camera hand sanitizer wet wipes reflective road triangle scissors window breaker thingy mylar blankets lifevest (if you are in areas that flood ever) rags and paper towels manual for your vehicle
43 people like this
40 responses
• United States
30 Nov 15
You need to remember to update your items periodically. No I don't have one since we don't travel that far from home and we do have OnStar which will get us help quickly. We don't live where it snows so no worry about that.
11 people like this
• United States
30 Nov 15
where do you live in the United States that it doesn't snow? I'm just very curious.
3 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
some of the winter items sure, but the first aid kit, a flashlight, etc prob a good idea
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
30 Nov 15
@AbbeyGreenhill, oh, yeah, that is right.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
30 Nov 15
Every one absolutely needs one @jessicalynnt . Plus, I carry a standard tool set, quart of transmission fluid, jumper cables and believe it not a roll of duct tape. You never know when a hose needs a temporary wrap.
10 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
30 Nov 15
Roll of tuct tape now that is a good idea also.
8 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
ooh duct tape, good idea, will add. I have cables in both cars already
4 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
30 Nov 15
Yes we all need those things and a cell phone if we can get a connection.
7 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
1 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt Good same with me I always have my cell phone with me in case of emergency.
4 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
thats just on me at all times anyways.
4 people like this
@mehmal (63)
• India
1 Dec 15
@Marcyaz yeah me too....without cellphone,its like some part of us is missing ;)
3 people like this
@jstory07 (134426)
• Roseburg, Oregon
30 Nov 15
We always have a few bottles of water in our car and a first aid kit and that is it..
7 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
30 Nov 15
You might want to think about a blanket in case the car heater goes out and that way you can stay warm.
4 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
@jstory07 those are good things, but I agree with @Marcyaz on the blanket, esp in a place where you can get stuck in the snow
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
30 Nov 15
We used to always have a first aid kit in the car. I think you possibly need more gear than I do, as I travel only main highways, plenty of traffic around and only an hour or so from the nearest ambulances.
8 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
we arent that far from civilization, but it can be cold, or hot, or wet, or things I want to be prepped for!
5 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
30 Nov 15
People laugh at me when my winter just-in-case kit fills half my trunk but most of them don't live 150 miles from work.
9 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
I dont need that much I dont think, but I have lived places where I did!
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
30 Nov 15
whoohoo..now when i steal your vehicle i will be all set for a fast change of clothes and a quick get away..plus i'm eating the brownies you left for me..hahahah
5 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
30 Nov 15
@thesids shh don't tell her i took it..now jump in the back and hide under that warm blanket..
4 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
30 Nov 15
@Rosekitty I close my eyes.
3 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
30 Nov 15
cant we just borrow her car or the truck she mentions
4 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
30 Nov 15
I recall in 2003 when I was driving the bike and covering 1200+ kilometers (from Allahabad to Bhubaneswar), I had also got a can of petrol along. So I would add some spare gas too especially when you are travelling a long distance by road. On the bike, I realized the worst thing to happen is a flat tyre. So do something about it - maybe use some liquid that is now being sold around here(in the local market), which prevents the flat tyre. With cars, they usually come with a spare tyre - so keep that one healthy and if you end up with a flat tyre, get it reparied at the first possible place. And do anything that yon can, please dont fall asleep especially when you are driving.
4 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
@ramapo17 Why a shovel? Wonder if I need to add that
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
I love the flat fix stuff!
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
1 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt I always have a few cans in my car at all times and funny thing is I still have small shovels under the back hatch but needed them before I moved from the Poconos to Florida. I might need them here for sand, hahaha.
1 person likes this
• Preston, England
1 Dec 15
spare emergency phone and a camera - if someone crashes into you get photos of the license plates and damage to both cars for insurance purposes - hope your accident wasn't too recent and you are OK
5 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
it was a couple of years ago, why I have the truck now. and not a bad idea, cheapy cell and a disposable camera
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36434)
• Toccoa, Georgia
30 Nov 15
I only have a kit with band aids and paper towels, so, Yes, I do need to make a good survival kit for both of my vehicles. Thanks for reminding me.
5 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
towels! good idea.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (48389)
• Canada
30 Nov 15
My husband and I have a winter package, in case we get stranded and cannot make it home. We have a blanket, toiletries and granola bars in it. Better safe then sorry.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48389)
• Canada
1 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt One afternoon on my way home from work, I got stuck in a snowbank out in the country with 10 other vehicles. They closed the road and I had to have a tractor pull my car out, he had a blade on the front of his rig and he plowed the road while many of us followed him back into town. I had to go to a relative's place to spend the night.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
Agreed, ESP where you show to be from. All that snow!
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
1 Dec 15
Good idea to remind us about the kits.
4 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
you will thank me when you need it
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48908)
• United States
30 Nov 15
This is a great idea. I do not have one, but I will now.
4 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
mine needs some work.
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
30 Nov 15
My husband's idea of an emergency kit is all things related to the automobile itself breaking down. Where we live getting lost in the snow or driving off into a canyon isn't likely to happen but I would love a blanket and water bottle at least.
5 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Nov 15
I couldnt fix it if it did, but I do need to be sure I have a gallon of water, oil, that kind of thing.
2 people like this
@yalul070 (1713)
• Manila, Philippines
1 Dec 15
Check. Now I need somebody to tell me how and when to use all those
3 people like this
@yalul070 (1713)
• Manila, Philippines
1 Dec 15
@ramapo17 lol the thing is I have all those in my car. but when i had an accident two months ago, turned out i really didn't know how to use them so I still had to wait for rescue.
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
1 Dec 15
Yalul that is funny..
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
1 Dec 15
@yalul070 Maybe you should take a course in how to operate these things. If they don't have any near you, try organizing one as I am sure there are other people around that could use the class. We have courses here in the states for everything.
1 person likes this
@else34 (13517)
• New Delhi, India
1 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt,I always keep my first aid kit ready,but prefer to walk wherever I go.I drive to my destination only if it's too far or if I am in a hurry to come back home.
2 people like this
@else34 (13517)
• New Delhi, India
2 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt You really have a problem.Walking 4-11 miles is not practical.You need to drive.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
that's much harder where I am at. Food is 4 miles away, and we are talking places with traffic and no foot paths for all of these things. Work is 11 odd miles away. There is really nothing within walking distance, and there are no sidewalks or paths.
2 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
2 Dec 15
@else34 pretty much, I do my best to make shopping runs only once a week, or on my way home from work as I drive by there
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
30 Nov 15
I've been very blessed in that I haven't broke down or been stranded in the 26 years I've been driving. God always takes good care of me. But your list is a good list and it made me think for sure. Thanks for sharing and God bless you
3 people like this
• United States
2 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt I think having those items in your vehicle would be a smart thing to do. What if there's and accident and somebody is hurt then you could cover them with a blanket maybe if its cold. I would have to buy most of the items and moneys kinda tight. But I think its a great idea.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
2 Dec 15
@Butchcass4 me too, this is why I am getting things one thing at a time, walmart had some fuzzy blankets on sale for 2.88 so I got one for the truck. Next trip I will throw in another small thing.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
I have never once really needed anything but the jumper cable, but still.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Dec 15
Scissor or something sharp in case you need to cut the seatbelt off. I also see those things that you can break a window if need be (can't think of the name)
3 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
good ideas, adding now
@just4him (305965)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Dec 15
A basic first aid kit isn't on your list. Did I see a fire extinguisher?
3 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
nope, adding now
2 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
2 Dec 15
@just4him when I lived in Iowa and MO I always had a shovel, blanket, kitty litter, fire starter, and sometimes even a little thermal tent.
1 person likes this
@just4him (305965)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt You're going to be well set when you get fully outfitted for any emergency. It's something we all need to do, me included. I know you don't get much snow, but a shovel is always handy, especially if you ever find yourself in snow country. Believe it or not, cat litter is also good on ice.
1 person likes this
@star4u (90)
• Quezon City, Philippines
1 Dec 15
I Remember one time when we went to the farm and the road is slippery that time and then we were stuck on the cliff side of the mountain, we have no emergency kit and we don't know what to do. my children and I stayed on the car while my hubby look for some help.
3 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Dec 15
yeah this is the kind of thing I fear that makes me want an emergency kit
1 person likes this