10 Emergency Stash Must-Haves for Your Car
Published Jun 25, 2025
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No one likes to dwell on worst-case scenarios, but we never know when planning for disaster will come in handy. Catastrophe can strike at any moment, and stormy weather or a terrible crash can leave us needing extra help. Keeping an emergency kit in your glove compartment is critical and potentially life-saving. We’ve listed a few essentials for any car’s emergency kit, and we recommend you keep reading to see if your stash meets general safety standards.
1. Water bottles
In the case of any emergency, water is a must to help you maintain your wits. Drinking water delivers nutrients to your body’s cells, ensuring that organs can function correctly. If a driver gets stuck in bad traffic, lost on a backroad, or stranded without help, water will give them the best chance of finding a way out. Dehydration can impede brain function, so bringing along water will keep you staying alert in urgent situations.
2. Jumper cables
The next item on this list should come as no surprise. When you find yourself stuck with a dead car, you’ll be grateful you tucked a pair of jumper cables into your emergency stash. This tool will allow you to perform a jumpstart, the process by which energy is siphoned from another car. Jumper cables can help you avoid the major inconvenience of taking your vehicle to a shop for servicing.
3. Phone charger
In this day and age, cell phones are our lifeline. They help us navigate, find nearby recreation, and seek help from emergency services. That’s why panic will likely ensue when a driver becomes stranded with a dead phone. Pack a charger that stays in your car so you’ll always have access to it when your phone’s battery needs a boost. This way, you can use your device as much as you want without worrying about preserving power.
4. A tarp, poncho, and umbrella
Sometimes, even the sunniest days get hit by sudden bouts of rain. Storms can easily ruin outside activities like sports games, picnics, and bike rides, and we want you to stay as safe and dry as possible. One way to save yourself trouble is always to keep rain precautions in your car. This way, when the thunder starts rolling on the way to the grocery store, you’ll feel comfortable knowing you can grab an umbrella and wrap yourself in a poncho to brave the weather. Tarps can be helpful for covering large items so they don’t endure water damage.
5. A shovel and ice scraper
For those in colder climates, winter gear is necessary when equipping your car with the right supplies. A shovel can come in handy if a blizzard buries your car beneath mountains of snow. Furthermore, an ice scraper might be crucial in clearing your windshields and ensuring your view stays clear. By keeping these winter weather tools in your trunk or glove compartment, you may ensure your future safety.
6. A first-aid kit
First aid kits can be lifesavers amid minor crises. If you or your child sustains an injury that doesn’t require medical attention, the supplies necessary to fix it are likely contained in a standard first aid kit. Bandaids, gauze, and antibiotic ointment are great for minor cuts and scrapes, and they can even begin the healing process while you’re on your way to a hospital or urgent care service. Pack a first aid kit in your car, and you and your passengers will be more prepared for any small injuries on your next road trip.
7. Seatbelt cutter
This tool is something we hope you’ll never have to use. After car accidents, it’s not uncommon for the people inside a vehicle to become trapped. Seatbelts may get jammed, inhibiting your ability to escape to safety. To avoid this, drivers can store seatbelt cutters in spots they can reach. Investing in a seatbelt cutter may seem extreme, but you never know when you’ll need to cut your way to freedom.
8. Blanket
Though this may come as a surprise, it’s quite common for drivers to store blankets in their cars. Blankets can be beneficial in multiple ways, such as when your car breaks down in cold weather. A soft blanket can also provide padding, if someone needs to kneel on the ground and inspect the under rise of their car.
9. Flares
Often used by lost campers, flares are useful in more situations than just getting lost in the woods. When vehicles crash or break down after dark, those inside sometimes wind up stranded on the side of a road. Flares will attract attention, alerting other drivers that you need assistance. Before your next big road trip, consider investing in your very own SOS signal in the form of a flare.
10. Tire-changing equipment
When you get a flat unexpectedly, it’s easy to let this alter your mood for the worse. However, if you’re armed with the correct tools and knowledge, this inconvenience can become much less painful. All drivers should keep the following tools in their car so they can swap out an old tire for a new one when necessary: a car jack, a lug wrench, wheel wedges, and a spare tire. Buying these items now can save you a lot of headaches down the road when you may be in dire need of a tire change.
Shop Transwest today
At Transwest, we value your safety above all. Our products are up-to-date, modern, and reliable so you and your family can arrive safely at every new destination. Visit one of our locations today and find the right vehicle for you.
