When you're on the road, you never know what you're going on to fall !
Most of the time everything goes well...
...but sometimes trouble is not far away!
Whether it's a breakdown, bad weather conditions or worse, an accident, you have to be prepared!
Luckily, there are items to help you overcome any hassle on the road .
Thanks to these essential tips, you will be able to face any problem in any season.
Whether it's the big summer storms or the winter ice.
Besides, you probably already have most of these items at home, or you can easily find them at the supermarket.
Of course, we hope you never have to use our homemade "first aid kit" :-)
But by keeping it in your car at all times, it can make all the difference... or even save your life.
Not to mention that you can also use these items to help another person!
So, without further ado, here is the list of 10 essential things you should always have in your car . Watch:
What if your car breaks down? You may have to walk to a house, or to the next gas station...
Precisely, this is why it is important to always have a backpack in your car .
Any old backpack will do. Just make sure it's big enough to put everything you need in case of an emergency.
No backpack? So use an old suitcase, or even an old gym bag.
The only condition is that it fits in the trunk of your car, and that all your essentials can fit inside.
No matter the season, having clothes on hand is always a good idea.
Gather old hats, light and warm scarves, and good warm gloves that allow you to move your hands freely.
Do you ride as a family? So pack enough clothes for the kids!
You broke down. It's all dark! So how do you light up?
Old-fashioned: with simple matches and candles, no need for electricity. But be careful when lighting them in or around your car!
With a flashlight: another essential item. If yours is battery-operated, also put spare batteries in your "special car" backpack.
The battery-free alternative: it's the flashlight with dynamo! Just turn the crank with your hands to charge its battery – meaning it will always be able to enlighten you. Not bad, right?
If there is one essential that we must always have at hand in your car, it's a good first aid kit like this.
A first aid kit should contain disinfectant wipes, antibiotic ointment, bandages, gauze and also painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Ladies can also consider putting a few tampons or sanitary napkins in the first aid kit, just in case...
And don't forget that if your injury is serious, call for help immediately.
To prepare your own herbal first aid kit, it's here.
If your car is immobilized, you will need to eat to maintain your energy levels.
Cereal bars, nuts and dried fruits are perfect to slip into your "special car" backpack.
Indeed, all these products are non-perishable and are sold in airtight packaging.
You just have to check that the packaging has not yet been opened, then store your food well in freezer bags with zip closure, so that odors do not attract animals.
It will also be necessary to avoid dehydration. So don't forget to add a few bottles of water to your first aid kit.
What if your tires get stuck? You'll have to dig to free them!
That's why a foldable mini digger is a must-have thing to always keep in your trunk.
Certainly, your car is surely equipped with a spare wheel and a jack...
However, an excellent idea is also to provide a small kit with some basic tools, such as a hammer, a screwdriver and a set of spanners.
Multi-purpose tape, jumper cables and motor oil are also good things to have in case of the unexpected on the road.
There is another clever product that could save your life, and that you should ALWAYS keep within easy reach of the driver's seat... it's the famous window breaker and seat belt cutter emergency hammer.
As the name suggests, it's an emergency escape tool to easily break windows and cut seat belts.
To discover: How to Break a Car Window in an Emergency.
Have you ever thought about putting warm scarves and gloves in your emergency bag? Well done!
Now, another great idea to keep warm is to bring specially designed items to help keep you dry and warm.
These survival thermal blankets and hand warmers are great ways to stay warm in an emergency.
In addition, such products do not take up much space, since they are sold in small packages.
And if you have to go out in bad weather, keep a rain poncho handy in your car, too.
To reach the emergency services or call your insurer, you will probably have to use your mobile phone.
Thus, to have a sufficiently charged battery, it is important to always keep an ultra-compact charger in your car.
And while you wait for help to arrive on the side of the road, it is essential to stay as visible as possible and let others know your vehicle is in trouble.
To do this, use glow sticks as emergency lighting outside the car, and an LED lamp inside the cabin.
If you have to wait outside, be sure to put on a reflective yellow vest before getting out of your vehicle.
Indeed, these vests make you more visible to other vehicles on the road.
Be aware that it is recommended to stay inside the car until help arrives.
However, if you are immobilized on a hard shoulder, be aware that it is advisable to wait outside of the car, on the other side of the guardrail, even in bad weather.
Unfortunately, being stuck on the road because of an unforeseen event sometimes means waiting for hours...
And waiting for a tow truck or the passage of a car that could come to your aid can quickly become boring...
The danger is that when the minutes seem longer and longer, we tend to stress.
The key to keeping your spirits up (and your cool) is to have fun!
For example, having a good book handy in your car is always a good option.
Do you have children? So also remember to always have paper and colored pencils in your car, or even a book of puzzles to kill time.
And for group travel, the ideal is to have a deck of cards.
No matter the distance:every time you travel by car, remember to always have enough fuel in your tank.
Not only is driving empty bad for your engine, but running out of gas can be dangerous.
Indeed, you can quickly get lost while crossing a region that you don't know well...
There you go, now you know all the essential stuff you should always have in your car :-)
The little extra is that once gathered in a backpack, these objects can stay in your car all year round...
That way, you will always a handy handy trick to help you get out of trouble.
To drive safely, you can share these important tips with all your loved ones who drive!
Once you have used one of these items, replace it as soon as possible. That way, you'll always be ready to face the little unforeseen events on the road!
When you take a road trip, also remember to tell your loved ones where you are going and at what time you think you've reached your destination.
Likewise, always take your mobile phone with you, and make sure it is fully charged.
