Though it may seem silly to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, it is often the difference between a nightmarish or comfortable wait for roadside assistance when you’ve broken down on your way to your holiday accommodation, or when you’re on a road trip to visit family.

There are numerous places to buy pre-packed car kits, but it’s better to create your own, purely so you’re aware of the quality of the items you’ve personally bought. But also so you can cover any specific needs you may have which wholesale bags exclude.

Keep one step ahead of the rest this winter by following the below suggestions:

1. Your Bag

Now is the time to decide if you’ll be putting your emergency supplies in a backpack (so you can take it with you in the event of your car being written off) or keeping everything together in a less-portable storage box. Keep either option permanently in your car boot, and ensure you rotate out perishable items seasonally.

The only items to keep in the front of the car with you are the Taser/pepper spray (for obvious reasons) and the multi-purpose tool, so you can easily access it and smash your window, cut your seatbelt, etc. in case your vehicle becomes submerged or catches on fire.

2. Vehicle Supplies

This list of items you’ll keep in the boot of your car at all times. They come in handy when you’ve broken down due to a flat tire, flat car battery, or if you’re involved in an accident.

–          Spare tyre (this should go without saying)

–          Jack and Tyre Iron (because nobody can lift a car single-handedly other than Superman)

–          Jumper cables

–          Spare fuses (you never know when your light  / hooter is on its last legs)

–          Tow rope / tow bar

–          Flashlight or a headlamp (head lamps are better as your hands will remain free)

–          Extra batteries for flashlight (Lithium batteries are recommended for cold climates)

–          Emergency Signs (the hazard triangle will stop other cars driving into you … we hope)

–          Small spade (in case you need the loo, need to dig your car wheels out, etc)

–          Car charger / solar charger

–          A multi-tool / Rescue Tool (keep this in the front with you for above noted reasons)

–          Taser or pepper spray (self-defence should never be neglected – charge your Taser every 2 months and keep it in an easily accessible position near the driver’s seat)

–          First-Aid Kit (stocked with any prescription medications you require, a splint, pain pills, band aids, savlon / sanitizer, CPR mask, sling, rescue remedy, anything else you require)

–          Tissues or wet wipes (use to clean cuts, wipe grease stains, in case you need the loo)

–          R100 in notes and coins (if you need to use a pay phone)

–          Small book with emergency contact numbers and your doctors (useful in case you are unconscious and rescuers appear; also handy if your cellphone dies and you can’t remember the numbers off by heart)

3. Personal Items

These items are ones which make being stuck on the road side a little more comfortable, and it’s recommended you keep them in plastic, waterproof bags. The first 3 items below are non-negotiable as they’ll help keep you alive should help or assistance not be immediately available.

–          2 litres of water (for yourself and also for your radiator if it overheats)

–          Food (food bars, biltong, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, in fact, anything that will keep your energy up – also include something sugary to consume in cases of shock)

–          Blanket (helps prevent hypothermia in winter if your car battery dies, and in summer can be laid out next to your car as a picnic blanket to rest on / make-shift shelter, etc)

The below are nice to have but not absolutely necessary to include:

–          Spare sturdy shoes (if you need to walk to help)

–          Spare socks

–          Snap hand warmers

–          Waterproof jacket or poncho (useful if you need to change your spare tyre in the rain)

–          Gloves and/or hat (change out as needed for winter and summer)

–          Sunblock and insect repellent

–          Local map / map book of South Africa (useful if you break down while in a different province)

–          Small juice boxes (work well and keep for a few months)

–          Soup sachets /chocolate bars (change out every few months to avoid expiry)

–          Card games / games for children (useful if you have little ones with you)

–          Duct tape (it has a million and one uses, from taping up a broken exhaust, to sealing cracks and it can even be used as a make-shift bandage)

Let us know what you have in your emergency car kit!

Main image courtesy of FEMA Photo Library (Creative Commons)