How to Build a DIY Roadside Emergency Kit

Keeping a car kit full of emergency supplies in your vehicle is just plain smart — no matter where you’re going. Even if you typically just travel across town for work, you never know when nasty weather or an unforeseen emergency will leave you stranded on the roadway. An emergency car kit can help keep you safe and healthy as you wait for assistance.

When building an emergency car kit for yourself or for a loved one, you’ll need to consider which supplies you need. Here’s how to create an emergency kit for your car.

Follow the checklist below for what you should pack, then make a car safety kit for every vehicle your family owns. Do an inventory every six months to ensure the kit is up to date and that you’re not caught without vital items.

First Aid Supplies

A first aid kit is the most essential item you can add to your DIY emergency car kit. It’s not just for vehicular emergencies, either: a well-stocked first aid kit is useful whether you’re encountering a serious accident or a scraped knee at the park. 

Of course, you can buy ready-packed kits. But you might want to build your own based on your family’s needs, especially if you need any specialized items. The American Red Cross offers guidelines for assembling first aid supplies for your car (and home). These include the following:

• Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
• Bandages
• Safety pins
• Disposable sterile gloves
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• Sticky tape
• Thermometer
• Skin rash cream
• Cream or spray for insect bites and stings
• Antiseptic cream
• Painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• Antihistamine cream
• Eye wash and eye bath

Survival Supplies

Nobody wants to have to survive an unexpected breakdown or get stranded in an unfamiliar place. But it can happen, especially in times of severe weather. So, in addition to a first aid kit, make sure you have everything you might need in case you get stuck in a remote location. And if your pets often ride with you, make sure to consider what they might need. 

Here are some items to start with:

• Potable water, at least 3 gallons
• Nonperishable food and salty snacks like nuts, granola, jerky or trail mix
• A small camping-style set of dishes and cutlery for eating and drinking
• Cell phone charger
• Road map (especially useful if you lose your GPS signal) 
• Flashlight and new batteries
• Waterproof matches
• Blanket
• Dry socks
• Emergency flares or glow sticks
• Compass
• Handheld GPS unit
• Roll of duct tape
• Paper towels or rags
• Pet food, if necessary

Vehicle Supplies

Your vehicle needs its own roadside emergency car kit, too, in case something goes wrong. Be prepared for a flat tire, dead battery or other unexpected repairs with these essentials:

• Properly inflated spare tire
• Wheel wrench
• Tripod jack
• Jumper cables
• Multipurpose utility tool or tool kit with screwdriver, tire pressure gauge, wrench and vise grips
• Towing strap or chain
• Car battery charger
• Air pump
• No-spill gas can
• Antifreeze (1 gallon)
• Motor oil (2 quarts)

Winter Weather Supplies

The Weather Channel offers important tips on what to do if you are stranded in your vehicle during winter weather. (And don’t forget to winterize your car before the snow hits.) If you live or travel where blustery weather poses a threat, you’ll want to include these must-haves in your DIY winter car kit:

• Ice scraper
• Bag of sand for traction
• Backpacking stove for heating soup, tea, or water
• Gloves
• Boots
• Wool socks
• Knit caps
• Layered clothing, like sweaters, scarves and long pants
• Rain gear, such as umbrellas, raincoats and waterproof boots

Make Sure You’re Safe All the Time

Putting together a DIY emergency kit for your car ensures you’re prepared for any situation, but you’ll also want to be sure your auto insurance offers the right amount of protection to keep you safe. Contact your Farm Bureau insurance agent to schedule a SuperCheck® and to learn more about Emergency Roadside Assistance coverage.