While the country may be in lockdown and our cars are getting a bit of a rest, most of us are already looking ahead to a time where hopping into our cars and setting off on a drive becomes a daily part of our lives again. Whether it’s a long-haul trip across the country or your daily commute to work, the unexpected can happen at any moment and so it’s important to be prepared for every eventuality. From keeping breakdown information on hand, to making sure you have water and food in case you get caught unawares, here is our checklist for essentials you should keep in your car at all times.
Sanitiser and Spare Masks
The world has changed drastically over the past year and one of the biggest changes has been the precautions we take when venturing outside of our homes. From having to wear masks in any indoor space, to making sure that we have sanitiser available to keep our hands clean of germs and viruses, these are two must-have items not only for the car but to keep on you at all times.
Important Numbers
Having the phone number and basic details of your insurance company, breakdown service and a mechanic will help you out if you end up in a crash or collision. In the heat of the moment after any kind of accident, having numbers and policy numbers easy accessible on your phone or written down in the glovebox will make things far less stressful if you need to make those all-important calls.
Car Manual
From how to change a broken headlight, to changing fuses and even general maintenance, your car’s manual is like a bible – most things are covered in a car manual and so it’s important to keep it within the car at all times. This way, you can grab for it in any sticky situation, even if it’s just to check the tyre pressure you need before a long journey.
Reflective Triangles And Other High-Visibility Items
Whether you end up in a collision, you break down during the drive or even witness an accident between other cars, having high-vis jackets, triangles and other items will help to keep you, your vehicle and any other parties safe when needed.
Spare Tyre Or Puncture Kit
If you can avoid paying out for breakdown recovery by changing or temporarily fixing a flat tyre, why not give it a try? Keeping all of the tools in your vehicle needed to change a tyre or repair a puncture using a fit-for-purpose kit, can mean that you can be up and running again in no time if you blow a tyre during your journey, leaving you to replace the lost tyre at a later time.
Food And Water
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in your car during a standstill traffic jam, or parked up waiting for a recovery truck and realising just how hungry and thirsty you are. Keeping non-perishable snacks such as packets of crisps or biscuits in your car, alongside sealed bottles of water can ensure that you’re never left at a loss in the case of the unexpected.
Torch
While most smartphones have a torch function nowadays, having an actual torch with spare batteries is crucial. Your phone battery can run out faster than you may think, so having a physical torch will ensure you can maintain that all-important battery life for important and emergency calls.
First Aid Kit
A simple first aid kit in the boot of your car could be the most invaluable item you cart around with you. If you get into an accident, whether in the car or at your destination, a first aid kit offers you the opportunity to treat any minor injuries that can be treated. Things like plasters, bandages, OTC painkillers and antiseptic wipes are essentials for treating minor cuts and scrapes among other things.
A Road Map
GPS is only as good as the signal it can use, which is why having a physical roadmap in your car and keeping a mental note of where you are on your drive is important. If you breakdown and need to call a recovery service, or you’re simply lost on your journey, a road map could be the answer you need to get back on track.
Loose Change
While we all plan ahead as much as possible, tolls and parking fees can catch you unawares – you’ll thank yourself later for keeping some loose change in your car when you aren’t fighting with your purse or the inner-linings of your bag for the coins you need.
A Blanket, Waterproof Jacket and Umbrella
One of the blessings of modern cars is that most of them have some kind of heating system, meaning that very rarely do we need to wear heavy layers while we drive. However, if you were to breakdown and have to get out of your car on the hard shoulder, or you find yourself stranded in traffic for lengthy periods of time, having warm clothing available will be a godsend. A warm, thick but waterproof jacket is a must, as well as an umbrella for adverse weather and, if you so choose, an emergency blanket that is wind and waterproof.
There are hundreds of items you could load up your car with to ensure safety and comfort as you drive, but those listed above are some of the must-have for any driver planning to make a trip in 2021. From warm clothing and blankets to that all-important hand sanitiser and face masks so you’re always prepared if you need to pop into a shop. Is your car ready to be back out on the road again this year? Get in touch with our team and book your car service, today.