Winter emergency kits for your car are well known, but what about summer kits? Here are some things everyone should include in their summer car emergency kit.
11 Things to Have in Your Car’s Emergency Kit for Summer Road Trips
Updated Jun. 14, 2023
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Visibility Equipment
Keep visibility equipment such as flares or reflective hazard triangles in your vehicle in case of roadside trouble. Consider an LED flameless flare which will last longer than its traditional counterpart.
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Water
Hydration is key when it comes to summer safety, so be sure to keep water in your vehicle at all times.
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Blanket
You may not need the blanket to stay warm, but you can use a reflective emergency blanket for shade. If you don’t have a reflective blanket, the blanket from your winter car survival kit will work to shade you from the blistering sun.
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A Small Tool kit
It would be nice to have every automotive tool on hand in case of a breakdown, however, this is not realistic. Even so, you should always carry a small toolkit in your car that includes an adjustable wrench, duct tape, a couple of screwdrivers, a utility knife and pliers. In many cases, a simple fix may be all you need to get you back on the road.
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First Aid Kit
A first aid kit should be part of every car emergency kit. Include some ointment, gauze, bandages, adhesive tape and tweezers. For those with life-threatening allergies, include an EpiPen.
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Sunscreen
Purchase a couple sunscreen sticks to keep in your glove compartment or your first aid kit for times you’re stuck in the sun. When they’re empty, you can use them as a clever way to store cash in your car.
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Flashlight
Flashlights are one thing every DIYer should own, and it’s smart to keep one in your car. An LED flashlight is a good option since the batteries and the bulb will last a long time.
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Phone Charger
The last thing you need when stranded is for your phone to die. Keep a spare charger in the car, but don’t use it to charge your phone regularly.
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Tire Sealant and Gauge
You can stop a flat tire before it happens with tire sealant, which can quickly repair the punctures up to 1/4-inch in diameter in the tire’s tread area. Make sure it’s an item on your car emergency kit list. Additionally, make sure that you keep a tire pressure gauge on hand and check your tire pressure on a regular basis.
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Jumper Cables
Jumper cables can come in handy throughout the year, not just during the winter months, and should be part of any vehicle emergency kit. If you are going to jump start a car, be sure to know how to do it safely before attempting to do so.
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Snacks
Keep some snacks, that won’t melt, such as granola, dried fruit and nuts in your car emergency kit. Use a recycled container for storage.
Originally Published: November 26, 2018
