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It’s time to gear up for road trip season! Whether you are headed to the coast, on a cross-country road trip, or you’re off to the grocery store to prepare for a “staycation” at home, it’s always a good idea to have your car prepped with an emergency kit. When it comes to your car, the unexpected is bound to happen. Good drivers know this, embrace it and are prepared for anything that’s thrown their way!

While you may not be able to prepare for all scenarios, there are a few good measures you can take to make sure if a break down occurs, you and your family are safe. A fully-stocked emergency kit is a simple way to prepare for the unexpected. While some articles recommend stocking your kit with every item under the sun, we are just going to cover a few key items which will help your situation be a bit more manageable.

Jumper Cables: This is an item which should never be overlooked, even if you’re not packing a full-on emergency kit. Nothing is worse than walking out of work, realizing you left your lights on all day, and attempting to start a dead battery. Avoid these situations by having (and knowing how to properly use) a set of jumper cables.

Flashlight: Vehicle breakdowns don’t discriminate between day and night. If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road in the dead of night, you’ll be very thankful to have your flashlight (and batteries, too!)

Flat-Tire Items: Again, these are items you should always have on hand. A flat tire can happen anywhere, anytime. Having a jack and lug wrench and a spare tire can save you a lot of frustration. It’s also important you know how to use these items and they are in proper working order.

Reflective hazard triangles and flares: These are essential items which will help keep you safe while you’re working on your car or waiting for assistance.

A few other items that may be beneficial to have are bottles of water, non-perishable snacks, a first-aid kit, a blanket, and a phone charger. While it may seem like a hassle to gather these items, you will thank yourself for the preparation in the event of an emergency.