Disaster Readiness for the Car

Things to know

• Be sure every driver can change a tire alone.
• Be sure every driver knows how to use jumper cables safely.

Things to have in the front

• Gloves
  
• Some people need glasses to drive. They should keep a spare pair in each car. You can buy them over the Internet for $7. This way you can get home if something happens to your glasses or contacts.
• Keep a full set of maps in every car, but don't waste space storing maps of places you don't go frequently.
• A compass to help navigate in a data outage
  
• Keep a rain poncho in each car, a disposable one will do. They are small.
• Keep two flashlights with fresh batteries in every car. When batteries get old the flashlight will pretend to work in order to trick you. It will light for a minute or two and then fade. You think you have two working flashlights, but you really have none. The temperature extremes in a car are hard on batteries.
• Keep a zip-kit in the car. It is small, cheap, and handy.
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher that can handle oil fires.  Don't bury it, you may need it quickly. Shake it vigorously every 6 months to keep the power from caking; the car's vibration packs the powder. Service or replace it when it expires.
• Keep a magnetic key case with keys in it. Stick it somewhere improbable and difficult to get to. Juvenile delinquents prowl parking lots feeling under bumpers for these key cases. Newer cars use electronic key fobs instead.
• Have hand cleaner and paper towels or hand-wipes in a convenient place for spills and dirty hands.
  
• Tissue or paper towels in your car can be used for toilet paper in an emergency; Very handy when traveling.
• Spare phone charger, and a way to charge your phone in the car.
  

Things to have in the back

• Work gloves
  
• Keep jumper cables in the trunk. Remember that the acid residue on used jumper cables can ruin delicate things.
• Keep two sturdy reusable grocery bags in each car. They fold flat and are really handy.
  
• Keep a toolbox in every car. It should have work gloves, hose-clamps, zip-ties, both kinds of screwdriver, an adjustable wrench with an insulated handle, pliers with insulated handles, spare lug nuts, and spare fuses.
• Keep a warm waterproof windbreaker in each car. It will fit in a big zip-lock bag. You or your passenger will forget to bring a jacket on a regular basis.
• Keep a couple reflective vests in your car. They can save your life. In some countries, the police will give you a ticket if they see you on foot near a road without your vest. Using a vest is good advice, like wearing a seat belt.
  
• Keep three reflective hazard triangles, three flares, and three light-sticks in your car.
• Keep a gallon of water good for either drinking or the radiator (preferably in little bottles). Replace it every 6 months. Trivia: Diet soda works in a radiator in emergencies.
  
• Keep a quart of oil or two in your car.
• Keep a spare gas cap and a few spare valve stem caps.
• If you sometimes wear impractical shoes (like heels), keep some practical shoes zip-locked in the trunk.
• Bungee cords and a rope
  
• A tire pressure gauge
• If you have room in the trunk, keep a 72-hour kit. This is a bag containing everything you need to get by for 3 days. It is always handy to have a toothbrush and change of clothes. What if you want to spontaneously spend the night somewhere? This is invaluable if you cannot get home or have to leave in a hurry.
• Snow socks for your tires
• Keep a wool blanket in the car. It is handy for padding cargo and invaluable in a breakdown.
• A folding shovel is really handy and can also get a car un-stuck.
• A tow rope is handy for getting unstuck.
• If you sometimes face ice, keep a bag of sand or kitty litter for getting unstuck.
  
• Keep a windshield scraper and a spare bottle of windshield de-icer fluid in the trunk.

You will also need things that are not on this list.