7 items you should always have in your car for emergencies

Every driver should have at least a basic roadside safety kit in their car. You can compile your own or buy a ready-made kit that comes packed its own carrying case. Key items include flares or a reflective triangle to let other drivers know that you’re stranded; a first-aid kit with bandages, gauze, and antiseptic; some basic hands tools, and candles or matches to help warm up the vehicle.

If you bought a roadside safety kit, but it didn’t include booster (a.k.a. jumper) cables, you’ll want to add those to your supplies so that you can bring a dead battery back to life. But make sure you know how to properly use booster cables to avoid the risk of personal injury or damage to either vehicle.

If your tires are under-inflated, a portable tire inflater that plugs into the lighter jack can be your best friend. If you have flat that can’t be re-inflated, you’ll need to swap in the spare. It’s worth investing in a good quality tire iron and jack instead of fiddling with the cheap versions included with most cars. If your car has locking lug nuts, make sure you have the lug nut key needed to loosen them with you.

Splattered bugs, dust, bird droppings, and water streaks can all obscure your view, which is why you should always carry an extra jug of seasonally appropriate washer fluid with you—the blue kind with anti-freeze for winter and the orange stuff with extra detergent to wash away summer crud.

Speaking of washer fluid and the other liquids we sometimes need to top up in our cars (engine oil, coolant), you should have a have a funnel so you don’t waste the product and splash toxic items on the ground. You can buy one, or make your own by slicing off the top third of a large pop bottle or other plastic storage container.

If you breakdown in the dark, you’ll need light to figure out what’s going on. You could use your phone, but they can be fiddly to hold or prop up if you’re looking under the hood, and saving battery life might become important if you are stranded. You’re better to stow a flashlight on board, ideally a head-mounted one to keep both of your hands free. Just make sure you regularly replace the batteries.

Canadian winters, of course, add extra elements to deal with. At that time of year, you should also carry around winter washer fluid, a bag a kitty litter to use for traction if you get stuck on ice, and emergency blankets and extra clothing in case you break down. Here’s a detailed list of wintertime emergency items.