When it comes to cars, it is common for most car owners to prioritise monthly car instalments, regular car service, and tire replacement when it is due. These are among the ‘basic’ requirements that car owners will prioritise to improve the vehicle’s safety. But what about having a car emergency kit?
We suggest adding a car emergency kit to your must-have list to enhance your car safety. Having a car emergency kit in your vehicle is crucial to help keep you safe in any untoward events when you are on the road.
Why is a car emergency kit important?
You may experience untoward situations when you are on the road. Some instances include a car breakdown on a roadside, failing windscreen wipers while it rains and a locked car from the inside.
Those emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Therefore, you need to have essential tools in your emergency kit ready in your vehicle at all times.
Read on as we share some useful essentials to store in your emergency kit.
Items in a car emergency kit that you should have
Multifunctional car safety hammer
A multifunctional car safety hammer is one of the car essentials that you should store in your vehicle at all times. This tool is designed to help you break the car window easier without much force in the event of an emergency.
Example: You are trapped in a car due to an accident, or your car falls into the water. The water pressure against the door panel will make it hard to open the window, right? You can use the hammer to help you shatter the glass window and clear your exit.
We suggest keeping it in the seat tray panel for easier reach during an emergency.
You can get it at any electrical appliance store, home appliance store, or easily purchase it online at Shopee at only RM20.
1.5-litre water bottle
Imagine that your car runs low on fuel and stops halfway on the roadside before you reach a nearby petrol station just 2km away from you. What can you do?
You might find a water bottle that you store in your car to be useful at times like this. You can walk to the petrol station and fill the fuel in the empty water bottle before filling it into your car fuel tank.
But if the petrol station is nowhere in your sight, you may need to call for towing service.
In the meantime, please stay in your car as it might be dangerous for you to roam around the area.
First-aid kit
We tend to think of our home first when it comes to safety planning. But an emergency can happen anywhere. Therefore, we suggest you have a first-aid kit in your car as well.
It is crucial to have a well-stocked first-aid kit in your vehicle because you never know when you may experience a breakdown or, even worse, a car accident.
Here are some essential supplies that can be helpful and potentially lifesaving:
- Mild antiseptic cleanser
- Gauze wrap
- Cotton
- Scissors
- Adhesive tape
- Triangular bandage
- Instant cooling pack
- Gloves
- Plaster
- Thermometer
- Ointment
- Medicine such as paracetamol and painkillers
You can get a first-aid kit on online platforms such as Shopee. For your convenience, choose a compact size that is easy to store in your car.
Reflective safety jacket
A reflective safety jacket acts as a light source that makes your vest or the stripes on your vest glow for higher visibility. If your car breaks down at night, you can wear the jacket to signal your presence on the roadside to other vehicles.
You can get a safety jacket at Shopee at only RM20.
Warning triangle
Warning triangles are used to alert other drivers that they are approaching an unexpected stationary vehicle.
You will have to place the warning triangle on the road at least 45 meters behind your vehicle on the same side of the road to signal other road users. The warning triangle reduces the danger when you stop for an emergency on the road’s shoulder or near moving traffic.
For your information, certain European countries have a legal requirement to display the warning triangle when parking the car on the roadside.
You can get this tool from Shopee at the lowest price ranging from RM20 to RM50.
Umbrella
Umbrella is considered a common tool that most people are likely to have. It is helpful to protect you from the scorching sun, especially when you are in an area that does not offer shade from trees or buildings.
It also helps to keep your clothes dry during rainy days. So make sure you have an umbrella ready in your vehicle.
Spare tire, jack and wheel level
It is crucial for every car owner to store a spare tire in their vehicle in an emergency. It can save you should you experience a flat tire while driving.
Note that a spare tire also requires maintenance from time to time. Check the condition of your spare tire regularly, monitor the air pressure and the tread on the tire. Although you have not used your spare tire, the air can still leak out.
It will also be helpful if you keep tire-changing tools in your cars, such as a jack and lug wrench to help you replace the tire. Changing a flat tire can be complicated and heavy without these tools.
Fire extinguisher
A car fire extinguisher should be a primary consideration in a car emergency kit due to the high automotive accidents. It helps quickly put out the fire and save your car, other vehicles and passengers from excessive damage and burns.
A 1 kg dry-powder fire extinguisher will be sufficient to extinguish most car fires for personal cars. We recommend placing the extinguisher under the passenger seat as it is accessible by the driver in case of emergencies.
Jumper cable
Your car engine can stop at any time, anywhere. Therefore, it is helpful to have a jumper cable in your car at such times. If your car battery runs out, you can use jumper cables to jump-start it with the help of some other vehicles to help you get back on the road.
So, where can you find a jumper cable? You can easily get it at any car accessories store or get it online. The estimated price for a jumper cable is usually lower than RM50. A portable jumper cable also allows you to start your car independently. Portable jump starters come with a built-in battery to give your car a boost without even connecting it to another vehicle and is, therefore, more convenient.
Powerbank
Powerbanks come in handy for those who constantly work on their mobiles or tablets. Powerbanks are also useful when you are on a long drive.
Powerbanks help supply your devices with power when they run out of battery. It will be helpful for you to keep one with you, so you do not have to worry if your phone runs low on battery. Do not forget to charge it first before you go out.
Although you can still charge your phone in your car, note that it could drain your car battery if you do it often. Plugging your phone into a car USB port could stall the charging and even damage the charger.
Therefore, power banks are still your best bet!
Dashcam
Nowadays, dash cams are becoming increasingly popular as a must-have car accessory among car owners.
Having a dashcam in your car means having supporting evidence at your fingertips should you be involved in a car accident or witness one. It helps to carefully record every detail that takes place both on the road and inside your car.
It is not compulsory to install a dashcam in your car, but you can consider purchasing one to enhance your security system.
You can survey it online and get it at a lower price according to your budget.
Enhance your safety with a car emergency kit
As a car owner, we recommend you prepare a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle for safety purposes.
Do not take this lightly, as emergencies like car accidents or breakdowns can occur to anyone, including you. We certainly do not wish you to experience such untoward situations, so always be prepared early.
