No driver wants to break down on the side of the road, but if it does happen, it’s best to be prepared. If you keep a small kit full of safety and utility items in your car, you can feel more confident and comfortable while you wait for roadside assistance or towing service to arrive.

What Should You Keep in Your Car in Case of Emergencies?

1. Road Flares

Road flares alert other drivers of your presence. They’re especially important if you break down at night or along a curved road with limited visibility.

2. Spare Tire

Your tire could hit a pothole or large piece of debris while you’re driving and go completely flat in an instant. If you have a spare tire on hand, you can change it and then drive safely to an auto repair shop. If you’re not sure how, roadside assistance services can help.

3. Jumper Cables

Battery or power issues can also cause your car to break down. If you have jumper cables on hand, you can call a friend or roadside assistance team to jumpstart your vehicle so you can quickly move to safety.

4. First Aid Supplies

In case you get into a small fender bender and need to wait for police or emergency services to arrive, it’s a good idea to keep a first aid kit on hand. Make sure you have plenty of bandages, gauze, medication, and sanitizer.

5. Warm Clothes

For those who drive in winter climates, the last thing you want is to break down and lose access to your car’s heater. Pack extra jackets and warm clothes so you can add layers just in case this happens.

6. Shovel or Ice Scraper

For winter drivers, it’s also a good idea to have an ice scraper to clear off your windshield and a shovel in case you need to dig your car out of a snowbank. You might even include some kitty litter to spread on snow or ice to increase traction if you’ve slid off the road.

7. Flashlight

You need to see properly if you’re going to attempt digging your car out of a snowbank or changing a tire at night. Flashlights are essential in nearly any emergency kit. Keep extra batteries on hand as well.

If your car breaks down, and you need towing or roadside assistance service, call Blystone Towing & Radiator in Portage, WI. Serving Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Sauk, Marquette, Green Lake, Adams, Juneau, and other surrounding counties, the company provides car towing, heavy-duty towing, roadside assistance, and accident recovery services 24 hours a day. In business for more than 50 years, the company also has a full-service auto repair shop, so you can easily get your vehicle up and running again after an accident or issue. Visit the company’s website to learn more about the services they offer. If you need immediate assistance, call (608) 742-4228.