Car Emergency First Aid Kits: 15 Essential Items You Should Have in Your Car

It seems more and more people are driving farther than they ever have before just to get to work. I know I was one of those people. I drove 80 miles round trip on my commute five days a week at one time.

But, I love to drive. I practically lived in my car for awhile. But it seemed I never had what I needed when I needed it.

I had a friend who had been in medicine about as long as I had. She had a kit in her car for emergencies that took up about half of her trunk. I, personally, didn't need that much, but there were about 15 items that I did need.

So, I sat down and thought about what I should keep in my car based on the things I had needed in the past, and my medical training in emergencies.

In hopes of preventing frustration for other people, I wanted to share this list. My original list was much longer than just 15 items, but I had to narrow it down because at the time, I had a smaller car.

This is the final list.

How many times have you been told you should keep jumper cables in your car? So many. I know. But there's a reason it's been drilled into our heads.

Jumper cables are not only beneficial for you in case you need a jump, but also for other people who may be parked in your vicinity.

Keep in mind, just because you have jumper cables doesn’t mean you have to use them to help someone else.

The portable jump starter is a little pricey, but worth it. You don’t have to wait for someone to jump your car or for a tow truck to help you. You do have to keep it charged regularly, however.

Some of these jump starters also come with an air compressor built in so you can put air in your tires as well. Something to think about if you regularly need to put air in your tires.

This is must have. Things like alcohol pads and gauze can come in handy for many reasons, not just injury related. For example, if you’re checking your oil and you don’t have anything else to wipe the dipstick you can use gauze.

You can buy first aid kits at most pharmacies and they range in price from about $2.00 to over $30.00. Just make sure the kit has the basics:

• band-aids
• gauze
• alcohol pads
• antibacterial ointment
• gloves

Also, keep a list of any medications you may take in the glove box.

If you take medications more than once a day, it's a good idea to keep a few extra pills on your person, just in case you need them. I would not keep them in the car however. If you live in a state like Florida, the temperatures in the car can reach over 200° which can affect medications.

Just make sure any and all medications are in a bottle with the original pharmacy label, especially if they are narcotic, and that the date on the label is current.

This stuff is amazing. I keep a can of Fix-a-Flat in my car at all times and the minute I use it, I buy a new one, because it's a lifesaver. Especially if you don't have a working spare tire.

Just remember to make sure the rim is off the ground before you drive it, and make sure you drive the car immediately.

You need to drive for about four miles for the stuff to work its magic. You can actually drive on it for a long time after using it, but I’d recommend you get the tire fixed right away. I just use it to get the garage so I don’t have to get a tow.

This can be the cigarette lighter kind. But if your car's battery is dead, that won't work.

Another option is a power bank. These are typically 10,000mah and have multiple ports to charge a variety of devices. It can also power things like reading lights (which some come with).

You do have to keep these charged, but they tend to hold a charge for a long time. I charge mine every few months, and it's never more than just a top off.

If you don’t know how to use one, learn. You need to be able to check the pressure in the tires especially if you use Fix-a-Flat.

I check my tires about once a week since I tend to drive a few hundred miles every week. Keeping the right amount of air in the tires makes the car handle better, and the tires will last longer.

Some digital air gauges connect right to an air compressor. If you have a jump starter with a built in air compressor, this is a must have.

This is especially important for older cars. My car has a slow oil leak that’s expensive to fix. I usually keep 2 quarts in my car, and I check it frequently. One quart is sufficient in case your oil light comes on, but don’t drive it for weeks. Get it to a garage as quickly as possible. There’s a reason your idiot light came on.

Continuing to drive a car with low oil leads to a much more expensive problem. You may end up having to replace the engine!

I use wet wipes and hand sanitizer all the time. Especially after using the pump at the gas station (come on, how many people have used that? Yuck). But wet wipes are also great for after you check the oil level in your car and can't wash your hands right way (although the gloves in the first aid kit can prevent the need for this).

Hand sanitizer isn't great for removing oil on your hands from a dip stick, but it is perfect for use after gassing up or grocery shopping.

They are also handy for quick clean ups. Especially if you get something on your clothes or the seats of your car. You can also give the steering wheel a quick wipe down, something we all should do regularly.

The Windex wet wipes are perfect for on the go window cleaning. They aren’t as messy as the squeegee at the gas station (that everyone has also touched). You also don't have to worry about leaving a spray bottle in your car and it leaking everywhere.

With smartphones, one may think this is actually no necessary. But there may be a time your phone is dead, or otherwise inaccessible and you need to quickly jot down a note or two.

It might be insurance information, something you need to remember to do, or an idea for your next art project. Whatever it is, having paper and a pen handy can be very useful. Keep the pen and paper in the center console or glove box so you know where it is.

No, this is not for reading while driving. This is in case you are on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck and get as anxious as I do.

Having a distraction will keep you from checking your watch constantly and make they time go by quicker.

It’s also handy to have a distraction while you wait for your car at the garage. If you have children, you should keep a few small toys or books for them as well. Kids hate waiting.

This is for emergency use only. You can use it for gas if you don’t have the money or other unforeseen necessities like a gas can if you run out of fuel.

I actually wish I had one of these the other day (I hadn't replenished mine yet). I had to cancel my card due to a fraudulent charge. It takes 7 to 10 business days to get a new one. In the mean time, you can't really access your money.

I had to go out to get cat food, and realized I was almost in the red for gas. By the time I got home, my low fuel light came on. A prepaid card would have come in super handy.

If you live in a rural area as I do, these are indispensable. If/when you are stuck on a road in the dark with a flat, in a rural area, you won’t be able to see because streetlights are usually limited if they are there at all.

Just make sure you have an extra, unopened package of batteries or get a hand crank one. A flashlight without batteries is just pure frustration.

Glow sticks are a cheap alternative, although they don’t provide much light. But batteries aren't an issue.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used mine.

You never know when you might need a screwdriver, pair of pliers, nail file, scissors or a knife. The bottle opener can come in handy too!

If you’re stuck out in the cold with a dead battery, waiting on a tow truck can get uncomfortable. Thermal blankets are a good idea if you live in an area where it falls below zero.

I know most people keep this in the glove box. This has invaluable information in it, and unless you memorize the book, you’ll most likely need it at some point for reference.

Obviously this is for women.

Although, anyone can use this tip if they have a significant other with a period!

I keep a stash of tampons and a fresh pair of undies in a makeup bag in my glove box just in case.

It sounds weird, but you never know when you might have a rogue period show up. Plus tampons and pads can have a variety of functions.

Feminine napkins or pads can be used to to put pressure on bleeding wounds and are very absorbent. Tampons can be used to plug a hole or leak too. An extra pair of undies can be used for the same reasons.

There you have it, just a few things to make your stop on the side of the road a bit more comfortable.

I hope these items will help with the anxiety you may feel if your car breaks down, or you have some other emergency that requires something in this kit.

As the boy scouts say, be prepared!