5 Safety Items to Always Keep in Your Car

Being prepared for any situation when you're on the road is important. Keeping certain safety essentials in your vehicle at all times can get you out of a bind or even save lives. Here are five key safety items every driver should have handy:

1. First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is a no-brainer for your car. Make sure to keep it stocked with bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, scissors, pain relievers, etc. You never know when you or a passenger may get injured either inside or outside of the vehicle. Having a first aid kit allows you to clean and dress wounds, prevent infection, manage pain, and stabilise injured areas. Check expiration dates periodically and restock as needed.

2. Jumper Cables

Jumper cables help you start your car if the battery dies. The thick cables have battery terminal clamps on each end that attach from the working battery to the dead one. This allows the good battery to transfer an electric charge to the dead battery so you can start your engine. Jumper cables are a cheap way to get your car up and running again versus calling for costly roadside assistance. They're an essential safety item, especially in cold weather when batteries struggle.

3. Tyre Inflator/Sealant

A flat tyre leaves you stranded, so a tyre inflator and sealant kit is a smart safety item. If you get a small puncture, the sealant can temporarily patch it so you can inflate the tyre and drive to a garage. For low tyres that haven't blown out, the inflator pumps them back up so you can properly fill them later. This kit won't fix large tyre damage, but it lets you safely change the tyre yourself or drive if needed in an emergency.

4. Torch

Keep a torch with extra batteries in your car at all times. If you break down at night or lose power, you'll need a light source to see and be seen. Choose a bright LED torch that's compact but powerful. Have extra batteries on hand in case it dies. The torch allows you to inspect your vehicle, change a tyre safely, flag down help, and see hazards or house numbers in the dark.

5. Jump Starter Kit

A jump starter is far superior to jumper cables for a dead battery. These portable devices have powerful lithium batteries that store enough juice to restart your engine multiple times. Jump starters connect to your battery using heavy duty battery terminal clamps. You simply attach the clamps to the proper terminals on your battery and press a button to send electricity into the dead battery. Car battery clamps are designed to penetrate corrosion and make a solid connection. Jump starters are very convenient since you don't need another vehicle present to get your car started. Just charge it periodically and have it ready for emergencies.

Having these five safety items on hand gives you peace of mind when driving. First aid kits, jumper cables, tyre inflators, torches, and jump starters allow you to handle common road issues, medical emergencies, and vehicle breakdowns. Drivers should check their safety supplies periodically and replenish anything missing or expired. Stay safe and prepared by keeping your car stocked for the unexpected.