How do I create an emergency kit for my car?

Having an emergency kit in your vehicle that you can rely on in an accident or roadside emergency should not be an afterthought, said Stephan LaLonde, a senior sales manager at CARFAX Canada. “Speaking for myself and my family, and it is a must. We always have an emergency kit in our vehicles,” he said. An emergency kit should include items related to your vehicle’s operation, the weather conditions you may encounter and your own safety. “A kit should be a year-round concern, but there will be seasonal additions to the kit,” LaLonde said. He added those items should remain in your vehicle throughout the year but if you do remove something you should replace it before the seasons change.

Among the kit items CARFAX recommends for your vehicle’s operation are jumper cables and a tire puncture seal and inflator. It is also suggested your kit include a folding shovel, ice scrapper, duct tape, road flares or a warning light, a road map, fire extinguisher and dry sand or kitty litter. “Kitty litter or sand is one of those things that will help you if you are in a situation where you need traction, like you are stuck in snow,” Lalonde explained.

Items to ensure your personal safety include blankets, winter hats and gloves, a flashlight and extra batteries, pen and paper, bottled water and energy bars or non-perishable food. A first-aid kit, whistle, roll of paper towels and a candle in a deep can with matches is also recommended. “If you are in your car, and it is 40-degrees below outside, that candle will create a little bit of heat,” Lalonde said. He added that people often forget to include a blanket. “When you get in an accident, if shock sets in, you want to keep warm.”

Lalonde said to store your kit where it makes sense for the type of vehicle you drive. It should also be accessible. “Most cars today have a folding back seat, so the trunk is accessible should there be an incident,” he said.

Many companies and organizations, including Home Depot, Canadian Tire and the Canadian Red Cross, sell pre-packaged kits. Each might include a slight variation on what is recommended as well as optional items, such as a seat belt cutter, tow rope or even an extra cellphone.