Essential things to keep in your car
Getting out on the open road is always a great feeling. After all, you’re free to go wherever you want, whenever you like. But with each and any car journey, there’s an element of preparation and planning required to keep you safe.
Even if you see yourself as a sensible and cautious driver, there are several things you’ll need to have to hand any time you’re behind the wheel. Even on the shortest of journeys, you should be prepared for all eventualities.
We’ve put together a list of must-have items that’ll keep you safe on the road.
Thinks to keep in your car year-round
First aid kit
Having one of these inside your car is an absolute essential, as you never know when you may need it. Make sure you have enough plasters, bandages and even medicine such as paracetamol to help with minor health issues or injuries while on the road. You’ll need to replace things in your kit as you use them – try to do this as soon as possible, so you don’t forget.
Chargers
Whether it’s a one-size fits all or a selection of different chargers for phones, sat navs and car batteries, these will ensure your devices are up and running when you need them most.
Spare coolant, oil and windshield washer fluid
It’s important to check these regularly, especially if you’re embarking on a long journey. Sometimes we can forget or get caught short, so having these in the boot will always come in handy.
Jump leads
If your battery happens to run flat, having these could help get your car going if you’re not close to a garage. It’ll also means you may be able to avoid calling for recovery.
Ice scraper
As we know, the weather can become extremely harsh in the winter months. When it arrives, you’ll find your windscreen frosted over on many mornings, and the last thing you need is this causing you a delay. With one of these waiting inside the vehicle, you’ll be able to clear your view and get going much quicker.
Torch
If anything goes wrong under the bonnet, or if you have to change a tyre, having a torch will come in handy when darkness falls. Make sure you keep some batteries in the car at all times, too.
Blanket
If you happen to break down, standing outside waiting for recovery can get pretty cold, even if you have a jacket or coat. In the worst-case scenario, you could be alone in your vehicle without heating for several hours. That’s why a blanket will come in handy to keep you nice and cosy. You can even use it in summer, should you stop for an impromptu picnic.
Sunglasses
It may sound obvious, but if the sun is glaring down on you a little too strongly, having a pair of shades to hand will help you concentrate on the road better. While we may think of shades as a summer must-have, they’re actually more important for drivers in winter, when the sun is lower in the sky at peak times.
Water
Although it’ll always come in handy to have a bottle of water in the car, it’s particularly important to have one to hand during the summer. If you were to break down and help was several hours away, you could dehydrate fast in high temperatures.
If something does go wrong, you’ll want to be covered by the right insurance.