It always helps to be prepared before you drive. Emergency roadside kits relieve stress and provide reassurance while you wait for a tow truck or another vehicle service. Create the perfect kit for your driving needs with help from Fort Mitchell Garage in Covington, KY. Our local body shop sells high-quality tires and provides a comprehensive variety of services, including towing and engine maintenance.

6 Roadside Kit Suggestions

1. Flares or Reflective Triangles

Store flares or reflective triangles in your kit so you remain visible to cars and trucks. While moving your vehicle to the side of the road reduces the chance of accidents, it is still important to ensure other drivers see you, especially in the evening when your flashers are not working.

2. Non-Perishable Food & Water

Pack at least one case of bottled water and non-perishable snacks, such as dried fruit, jerky, and granola bars. Staying hydrated is important whether the weather is hot or cold, as it does not take long for the body to experience serious water loss. Food and water keep you in good shape while you wait for towing services in extreme weather or any other time.

3. First Aid Kit

Create a first aid kit featuring bandages, gauze, antiseptic and antibiotic ointments, hand sanitizer, aspirin or a similar painkiller, as well as bug spray, tweezers, bandanas, bandages, scissors, cotton balls, alcohol wipes, and splints. If one of your family members requires special medication, keep a travel version of the medicine in your kit.

4. Blankets

Add a few blankets to your emergency kit to stay warm if your vehicle’s heating system cuts out. Our body shop team recommends keeping blankets in your kit year-round because they serve as makeshift sleeping bags or can be folded into a pillow-like item. Add both heavy-duty and light blankets to your kit.

5. Cables & Tools

Assemble a toolkit including items such as jumper cables, flashlights with extra batteries, tire iron, fire extinguisher, knives, and a multi-purpose tool. We suggest adding “accessories” to this section of your kit, such as portable chargers, cat litter for traction purposes, duct tape, rags, motor oil, radiator fluid, antifreeze, extra wiper blades, and windshield wiper fluid. 

6. Spare Tires

Place at least one spare tire in your kit. Our auto repair and body shop offers a great range of high-quality tires from top brands, so you never have to worry about a faulty spare or “donut” issue. If you have the space, we recommend keeping at least two spare tires in your trunk.

Other roadside emergency kit items you may wish to add include personal hygiene products, tarps, rain ponchos, and a small, battery-powered fan. Rely on the team at Fort Mitchell Garage for all of your auto repair and body shop needs--no job is too big or small for us. Call (859) 431-3326 to schedule service or visit our website for additional information.