Taking the time to put together a simple car safety kit could save your life, or at least make it a lot easier during a roadside emergency, especially during the harsh winter months. Below are a few essentials you’ll want to have on hand:

Flash light with spare batteries: If it’s nighttime, you won’t be able to fix anything if you can’t see. If you have some light, you can easily access your emergency items and attend to any possible quick fixes.

Cell phone charger: Keeping a cell phone charger in your car is smart; it will keep your phone ready to go so you can use it in an emergency. (Some chargers even double as FM transmitters, which you can use to stream your MP3 player through your car radio.)

First aid kit: A basic first aid kit (including band-aids, gauze, aspirin, first aid cream, and tweezers or small scissors) might come in handy if you receive any minor injuries as part of an accident.

Jumper cables: If your car battery has died, jumper cables offer a quick fix to get you back on the road. All you need is another car and a little know-how (read the instructions before putting the jumper cables in your trunk).

Warm-up supplies: If it’s cold out and you have no heat in your car, you could be in trouble. By keeping a warm blanket and a spare hat and gloves with your emergency supplies, you’ll have much better luck staying warm and alert while waiting for assistance.

Basic tool kit: Small, simple tool kits containing screwdrivers, a wrench, or pliers could come in handy and are fairly inexpensive.

Roadside flares: Flares will alert other motorists to your vehicle’s location and signal that you need help.

Disposable camera: If you are involved in an accident with another car, a camera will come in handy for insurance purposes. Snap photos of the scene, the damage to both cars, and the other car’s license plate.

Food and drink: It’s a good idea to keep basic items like water and granola bars in your trunk to keep you energized and hydrated in the event of an emergency.

Other supplies: A tire inflator (such as Fix-a-Flat), rags and/or paper towels, an ice scraper, and pen and paper are all good things to have on hand, along with $20 in small bills in case you need to pay for gasoline or a taxi ride.

Keep supplies easily accessible in your trunk and be sure you know how to use them. (A lot of supplies can be found around the house or inexpensively at drugstores, hardware stores, or automotive shops. You can buy pre-made kits from AAA, GoodYear, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, and other retailers.)

Auto club membership: Above all else, the most convenient and useful investment may be in an auto club like AAA. As a member, you are eligible for roadside assistance (from towing your car to letting you in when you’ve locked yourself out) as well as travel guides and tips. Car safety services like OnStar or GPS devices are great too (a GPS can usually give you your exact location to give to police or auto clubs, or show you a detour around a closed road or other obstacle).

It’s much easier to prepare for a roadside emergency than to be caught unprepared. Taking the time to put together a comprehensive but inexpensive car safety kit can really save the day in the event of an emergency.

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