Are You and Your Vehicle Prepared?
Most drivers have basic essentials in their trunk—first aid kits, vehicle registration, and spare tires are par for the course. However, plenty of drivers also leave important items behind, welcoming car theft and catastrophe alike. Let’s dive into which items you should and should never have in your car.
1. Children
No good comes from leaving a child behind. From finding their way into the trunk to playing around with buttons on the dash, kids can get into all sorts of trouble. Not only that, but many are left in sweltering cars each year, so don’t bring your kids unless you plan to watch them.
2. Pets
Pets shouldn’t be left in your vehicle. Many owners make the fatal mistake of popping into a store while their poor pooch sits in the car, uncomfortable and hot. Even if you’ll only be a few minutes, why put your dog through a few minutes of discomfort?
3. Money
Even if you live in a safe area, it only takes one person to ransack your vehicle and leave you with nothing. Don’t assume your car is safe at night. Either hide valuables or bring them inside with you.
4. Aerosol Cans
Hot temps and aerosol cans don’t mix. Anything from hairspray to everyday household cleaners can explode in the right conditions, and it doesn’t take more than an average summer’s day to reach dangerous temperatures. There’s a reason cans have fine print!
5. Groceries
We’re not just talking about ice cream or frozen meat—all refrigerated food needs to be put away within two hours. According to the USDA, the clock is cut in half if temperatures climb above 90°F. Try not to dilly-dally with food in the backseat; the last thing you want is for all that food to go to waste.
6. Medication
You’ve likely seen stickers on your medication that specify its ideal storage temperatures. Those aren’t just for show! Hot temperatures impede your prescription’s efficacy, so be extra careful about where you keep your meds.
7. Cosmetics
We’d like to think our $20 lipstick can beat the heat, but it just can’t. In hot enough temperatures, popular items like mascara and blush are also on the chopping block. Bring that Sephora bag inside to avoid any melting, bacteria, or ruined color.
8. Glasses
Hot or cold, it doesn’t matter—either temperature can significantly damage your eyeglasses. While hot weather warps the frame, cold days freeze them and make glasses brittle. Good luck putting them back on after a frigid night in the car!
9. Important Paperwork
Identity theft is no joke, and it happens more often than you think. Never store important documents like passports, tax forms, or financial transcripts in your vehicle. Should someone break into your car, they now have access to all your personal information.
10. Electronics
Electronics act like a beacon for burglars, but they’re also sensitive devices. Extreme temperatures can affect anything from batteries to storage, so it’s best not to leave them in the glove box. More importantly, personal devices have all sorts of private information on them, which is the last thing you want a stranger to access.
While there are plenty of items you should bring with you, your vehicle is also a great place for emergency supplies. Let’s dive into some important items every car needs.
1. First Aid Kit
It’s always a good idea to keep first aid items on hand. Even basic supplies can dress simple wounds, treat bug bites, and prevent infections. You don’t need a large one either—a simple kit in the glove box is more than enough for minor injuries.
2. Documentation
While you don’t want tax forms in your car, basic paperwork like vehicle registration and proof of insurance are a must. If you’re pulled over without that information on file, you can get dinged with tickets or even have your car towed.
3. Flashlight
Breaking down is stressful enough, but breaking down at night with no flashlight? Talk about a nightmare! LED flashlights are often best in cases like this, so be sure to pack one. They also double as self-defense in a pinch.
4. Emergency Food
Granola bars and bottled water work great in emergencies. You, of course, don’t want to leave it there indefinitely but some items fare better than others through temperature fluctuations. Keep items in airtight containers to further preserve their longevity.
5. Escape Tracks
Winter weather causes all sorts of problems for motorists—black ice, snow drifts, and dangerous driving conditions lead to countless accidents every year. That’s why you need to be prepared. Emergency traction mats or kitty litter can help your vehicle out of sticky situations.
6. Spare Tire
Even if you can’t handle a tire change on your own, it’s important to keep a spare. Roadside assistance is more than willing to help out, but they can’t do anything without a wheel! They can’t do anything without the proper equipment either, so keep a tire jack and iron handy too.
7. Collapsable Pylons
Pylons alert other drivers that you’re stalled. They keep everyone safe, including you, so having a couple in the trunk is a good idea. Place them around your vehicle in the event of a crash or any maintenance issues.
8. Jumper Cables
When a car battery flatlines, it’s jumper cables to the rescue. It’s usually pretty easy to find a good samaritan, but you’re both sitting ducks without cables to restart your battery. That said, they're are only as useful as your knowledge, so make sure you know how to jumpstart a car.
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9. Duct Tape
We often joke that duct tape fixes everything, but it actually is a miracle tool. In a pinch, duct tape works on small cracks or bumper dings, and it can patch up your vehicle well enough to drive to a mechanic.
10. A Warm Blanket
While we can all appreciate a good blanket at home, they’re the difference between life and peril on the road. In the event of an accident, you might be stranded or left waiting for help, and that blanket will keep you warm until help arrives.
