Car Chick Quick Tip: What to Include in a Roadside Emergency Kit

Getting stuck on the side of the road is not only stressful and frustrating, it can also be dangerous, especially if you have to wait for several hours for help to arrive. Keeping a roadside emergency kit in your car can help keep you safe and even get you back on the road faster. If you don't want to spend the money on a commercial roadside emergency kit, you can easily make one yourself! Here's my recommended list of the basic items to include, especially if you are planning a road trip:

• Flares and reflective hazard triangles

• White cloth (to use as a distress flag)

• Jumper cables or a jump box

• Jack, wheel chock and lug wrench

• Basic toolbox with a few screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers

• Small air compressor

• Disposable gloves (or work gloves)

• Bright (tactical) flashlight and extra batteries

• Cell phone car charger and/or a portable charger

• Blankets (for cold weather, or if someone is injured)

• First aid kit

• Bottled water (for you and your car)

• Granola or protein bars

• Pepper spray or stun gun (in case that Good Samaritan is not so good)

• Wet wipes

• Extra gloves and hats (in winter)

• Ice scraper (in winter)