Every driver should have a few key items in their vehicle in the event of a breakdown or car accident. While waiting for roadside assistance, a well-stocked emergency kit can prevent further vehicle damage and help you stay safe until help arrives. Have a look at the following items to see what you should keep in your trunk.

What Are the Essential Items for Your Emergency Road Kit?

1. First-Aid Kit

First-aid kits are vital for preventing or treating injuries on the roadside. These are available as prepackaged units in basic or advanced configurations, or you can assemble one with supplies from a local store or pharmacy. 

Include bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic cream, surgical tape, scissors, and over-the-counter pain relief medicine. Saline solution, sunscreen, and aloe vera may also be included. If you experience allergies, consider keeping allergy medicine in the kit as well.

2. Jumper Cables

If your battery dies, a set of jumper cables can mean the difference between quickly recharging your battery and waiting for roadside assistance. Read your owner's manual if you have one. Sometimes the vehicle manufacturer recommends connecting the cables in the OFF position or turning the vehicle heater ON to avoid damage to the computer. Connect the clamps to the coordinating terminals and run both vehicles to revive a drained battery. Ensure the red cable is connected to the positive terminals and the black to negative ones to avoid electrical damage or the risk of shock.

3. Spare Tire

Keeping a sturdy spare tire in your vehicle will enable you to reach help more quickly if you get a flat. More than a quarter of new cars come without a spare, however, so check under the panel in your trunk to see if you have one. If not, visit a local tire dealer to select the correct spare tire for your vehicle, and remember to check its pressure every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

4. Tool Kit

To carry out minor repairs and maintenance tasks yourself, keep a small tool kit in your car. This should include pliers with wire-cutting attachments, screwdrivers, a ratchet set, tire pressure gauge, hex keys, and duct tape and zip ties. A multi-tool will fulfill many of these functions, or you can place spare tools in a sturdy container in your trunk.

When you run into trouble on the road, you can count on Bolster’s Towing for prompt roadside assistance. Since 1971, these experts have helped drivers in and around the Kalispell, MT, area, providing towing, emergency repairs, and helpful advice. Call (406) 752-4528 to request assistance or visit them online to learn more about how they can help.