Emergency Car Essentials Kit

Your kit should include things like:

• Pain relief
• Plasters
• Bandages
• First aid and emergency booklet
• Scissors
• Anti-septic
• Personal medication

Top Tip: Check your first aid kit regularly, and make sure it is fully stocked with all the supplies you need. Don’t forget that some items in first aid kits can expire, and should be replaced after the expiry date.

St John Ambulance offers a selection of pre-packaged car first aid kits.

You can view the Department for Transport’s guide for applying first aid at the roadside, here.

A first-aid kit will help you treat minor injuries at the roadside after an accident until emergency services arrive. You should make sure everyone is safe as soon as possible after an accident.

You can read more about the steps you need to take after a car accident, here.

Make sure that you have a spare tyre, a car jack and a wheel brace in case you ever need to change a tyre.

Driving on a flat tyre is dangerous - so having the tools to change the tyre yourself can reduce the risk of an accident.

Top Tip: It is useful to know if you have run flat tyres, as they will allow you drive a short distance even after a puncture, allowing you to get to a repair garage.

Including jump leads in your essentials kit is beneficial, as they allow you to jump-start your car if the battery unexpectedly runs out.

With jump leads and the help of another vehicle's working battery, you can get your car running again.

To learn how to jump start a vehicle, the AA’s simple 9 step guide can help.

Warning triangles are reflective signs meant to alert other drivers to potential hazards on the road. They indicate there has been an incident and that your vehicle is unable to move.

Warning triangles also make it easier for other drivers and the emergency services to spot you and any passengers you might have at the roadside.

While it isn’t compulsory to have a warning triangle in the UK, it is recommended.

Making sure you can light up your surroundings is useful if you’re in an accident at night or somewhere with poor visibility.

Most mobile devices have a flashlight, but it’s still a good idea to carry a wind-up torch in your kit in case your phone battery runs out.

You can find more tips about how to stay safe while driving at night, here.

Always charge your phone before a journey in case you need to call for help after an unexpected incident.

Keeping a portable charger pack or an adapter for your vehicle’s cigarette lighter can help you to stay connected.

Before you start a journey, you should make sure you have plenty of water and long-lasting snacks.

You should always keep your energy up while making long trips, but these supplies will also come in handy if you’re stuck at the scene of an accident for a long period of time.

Warm, hi-vis clothes and blankets can help you to stay warm at the roadside after an accident or breakdown - especially in winter months.

Blankets are also useful as sun shades for the windscreen in summer, keeping you cool if you’re left to wait for assistance.

Including a pair of driving sunglasses in your emergency kit is a good idea to help you reduce the chance of you getting distracted by the sun’s glare.

Not all sunglasses are suitable for driving. Some glasses can impair road visibility, so it’s important to find sunglasses that are safe to drive in.

Paper maps are useful to help establish exactly where you are when your phone/GPS isn’t charged or is without signal.

It can also be used to look for nearby areas in case you are stranded somewhere remote and need to get help.

Having your owner’s manual on hand means that all of the important information about your car is readily available.

Knowing how your car operates is useful for troubleshooting any unexpected problems.

A seatbelt cutter can help you to free yourself from your vehicle if you’re trapped after an accident.

They can cut seatbelts and often come with a sharp point on the handle, to help break windows. Ensure seatbelt cutters are stored securely and away from children, as they are sharp tools.

Keeping an empty fuel can can be handy, especially if you need to walk to a nearby petrol station to refill if your vehicle runs out of fuel.

Having a can of de-icer and a scraper in your car should be an essential in winter months.

Your mirrors and windows should all be free of snow and ice, and it is important that you properly clear your windscreen before setting off. You could be breaking the law if you do not.