As I’ve been driving around a bit lately and hitting an unusual number of rain and thunderstorms while doing so, it has brought to mind the idea of having your car stocked with some basic potential needs.  A few ideas off the top of my head…

•  Flashlight: Every car should have one. Big, heavy and durable is best, especially for women who travel a lot on their own. You never know when a tire might go flat.
• Food: for the traffic jam, gasoline emergency, missed breakfast, etc. Have an extra few granola bars or snacks on standby. A small plastic storage container in the trunk works pretty well!
• Water: Also not bad to have an extra bottle or two in the trunk.
• First aid kit: Funny enough, my car came with its own. I’ve since greatly expanded it, but it was a nice little start. Make sure you have gloves, bandaids and some Tylenol or ibuprofen at the least. These seem to be the most common needs
• Extra oil, washer fluid, jumper cables, tire pressure gauge: cars run into emergencies, too!
• Make sure your documents are up-to-date and easy to find if needed: registration, insurance, emergency contact for tow truck/insurance agent/etc.
• In winter months, always have a handy blanket ready in the trunk
• Umbrella or rain ponch: again, you never know about those flat tires!
• Check tire pressures and windshield wipers regularly, at least as often as you change your oil
• Consider getting some emergency flares for roadside issues
• A couple extra bungee cords: many, many uses
• If you have kids, throw in a couple extra coloring books and crayons or games for the unexpected traffic jam during the long trips

You can  get a small crate or tote to keep everything together and organized in the trunk. Then there’s no digging around for things and no rolling or thumping around in the trunk.

That’s what I’ve though of for now. Feel free to add in more ideas!

-SW