Emergency items to keep in your car

Now that we're approaching winter, it's good to be prepared and make sure you have some essential items in your car, especially for longer journeys.

Here are a few of the things that will come in handy if you get stuck.

Bottle of water

Not only do cars need to recharge, we do too. Water is essential in keeping our bodies hydrated, even more so in stressful situations.

Torch

If you get stuck somewhere remote in a car with a flat battery, it can be frightening and dangerous – particularly in the dark. A torch with spare batteries or a wind-up version should be among your car essentials.

First aid kit

This could be used to help you or somebody else if there’s an emergency. A small first aid kit should include cleansing wipes, plasters, dressings and scissors, as well as nitrile powder-free gloves and a resuscitation face shield.

High energy foods

Long-lasting, high-energy snacks will keep you going if you are stranded with your car and not near any shops.

Fully charged phone

Phone charge doesn’t always last very long, but you can buy battery-powered chargers to use in your car. This could prove important if you’re stuck somewhere without access to any public telephones.

what3words

Download the app ‘what3words’, which divides the world into 3-metre squares. This means wherever you are, it will have a unique combination of 3 words to make finding your location much quicker and easier.

Warm clothes and a blanket

Motorists usually feel more comfortable driving without a thick coat but you should still travel with one in the car. A breakdown could mean a long wait with no heat, so it’s sensible to have some warm clothes to wrap up in – think a big coat, gloves, a spare jumper, hat and gloves.

Not just for the driver, either. Make sure all passengers have warm clothes they can put on to help stay comfortable in freezing temperatures. Children aren’t supposed to wear their coats in car seats, but make sure they have them packed.

High visibility jacket

High visibility clothing won’t necessarily keep you warm, but if you need to leave the vehicle in the dark, it’s critical that you can be seen by other motorists. The clothing could save your life, so should be considered one of the most important emergency items to keep in your car.

Map

Even today with the convenience of sat nav systems, there’s still place in a car for a paper-based road atlas in case you get diverted or lost.

There’s also the possibility that in the result of a flat battery, any electrical devices will be out of action. Even after the car is back on the road, you may prefer to keep these switched off.

Jump leads

Flat or dead batteries can happen to any car at any time, regardless of age. In colder weather, the risk of getting a flat battery is higher.

Always have a set of jump leads in the car, which will help to get the battery going again and the car on the move – whether you get assistance from a passing fellow motorist or a roadside recovery.

Ice scraper and de-icer

It is a legal requirement to keep your front and rear windscreen clear of snow and ice before driving. However, not all cars have heated windscreens to do so quickly.

An ice scraper still requires manual effort but is effective, while a can or spray bottle of de-icer speeds up the process. In wintry conditions, having both items in your car will mean you're prepared for all journeys.