When it comes to being a safe motorist, driving defensively and always following traffic laws will get you part way there. On top of this, it's crucial to be prepared for conditions that are out of your hands, such as natural disasters, mechanical issues that leave your car stalled and unexpected accidents. In these and other scenarios having the right emergency items on hand is essential.
Most of the time we're all too busy going about our daily lives to think about preparing for the worst, but if something happens when you're on the road, it's a good idea to have the following items in your vehicle.
First-aid kit
Water & snacks
Jumper cables
A blanket
Car escape tool
If a vehicle flips or becomes submerged in water, a car escape tool is critical to have on hand. They can cut seatbelts that won't eject and easily punch out windows that won't roll down.
An ice scraper
We may live in Arizona, but we occasionally get some frosty weather. Ensure that your visibility is unhindered by having an ice scraper ready to go on frigid days.
A flashlight with working batteries
If your car stalls in the middle of the night, you'll need a flashlight to look under the hood and to possibly guide you on your walk to the nearest gas station.
Work gloves
Spare tire, tire jack and tire iron
Haven't learned to change your own tire yet? Make learning how to a New Year's resolution.
If you want to go the extra mile and consider yourself somewhat handy, you may also want to keep the following items in a tool kit as well:
Brake fluid
Screwdrivers
Two quarts of oil
An adjustable wrench
Duct tape
