Emergency preparedness

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

Keep an old, charged cell phone turned off in your glove box as a backup to call 911 if your primary phone dies.
You can still dial 911 even if the phone is turned off or your main phone is dead.
4 people, independently
Keep a blanket, pillow, or coat in your car.
To stay warm if stranded, if the car breaks down, or if you need to sleep in the vehicle unexpectedly.
8 people, independently
If you live somewhere where it gets cold, keep a coat or jacket in your car so you are not caught off guard.
It prevents being caught off guard by the cold.
6 people, independently
Seal spare clothing in vacuum bags to reduce bulk and avoid moisture damage.
This method saves space and stops humidity from causing mold.
- Proceed with caution for long-term storage; items may become super wrinkled if stored this way for more than a few days.
3 people, independently
Keep a full change of clothes (socks, underwear, shoes) in your car for emergencies or unforeseen mishaps.
Unexpected incidents like spills, tears, or bathroom accidents can happen anytime.
- Check annually to ensure the clothes still fit.
- Clothes can get dirty or wrinkly over time.
20 people, independently
- Store a jacket, sweatshirt, work clothes, and exercise clothes in your car.2

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Store a towel in your vehicle for handling spills or unexpected rain.

Keep water bottles in your car for hydration or emergency use.
It helps if your car breaks down or you need water.
- Plastic bottles may leach chemicals when hot.
- Water in plastic can go bad over time.
6 people, independently
Carry thick socks and sturdy shoes in your car in case of natural disasters like earthquakes.
You may need to hike if you are trapped in dress shoes during a disaster.
3 people, independently
Place an emesis bag within arm's reach of each child in the car.
One person reported this prevented having to scrub vomit out of their car multiple times.
one person who lived it
Keep an empty ziplock bag in your car to protect your phone from rain while allowing touchscreen use.
The touchscreen works through the plastic.
2 people, independently

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Get a AAA membership if you own a car.
It covers towing, jumpstarts, and emergency fuel delivery, and often provides discounts on hotel rooms.
- Not applicable if you do not own a car.
one person who lived it
Keep toilet paper in a plastic bag in your car.
In case you cannot pull over in time or a restroom is unavailable.
2 people, independently
Pack a 'go bag' with basic survival gear, one or two MREs, and batteries for emergencies.
You do not need to be an extreme survivalist to prepare a basic emergency kit.
3 people, independently
Keep a portable unisex urinal in your car for use when stuck in storms and unable to exit the vehicle.
It saves you if you cannot get out to pee while stuck in a storm.
one person who lived it
Keep a tow rope in your trunk to allow a friend to help move your car if it breaks down.
It can save hours of waiting for a tow truck.
one person who lived it
Carry a flashlight and glowsticks or road flares for visibility if stranded at night.
Road flares provide safety if stranded at night; big glowsticks run for hours unless it is well below freezing.
- Glowsticks may fail if temperatures are well below freezing.
2 people, independently
Keep crayons in your car as a makeshift light source in emergencies.
They provide about a 30-minute burn time each, which is better than nothing.
one person who lived it
Wear two pairs of underwear when traveling.
You may need to change unexpectedly and will be grateful for the backup.
one person who lived it
Carry matches instead of a lighter in winter.
Lighters can freeze and fail to work.
one person who lived it
Do not slam windshield wipers against the glass from inside the car.
It poses a risk of breaking them.
one person who lived it
Store wet wipes in your glove box, keeping the lid closed between uses.
To prevent the wipes from drying out.
one person who lived it
Store a towel in your vehicle for handling spills or unexpected rain.
8 people, independently
- Keep feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, in your car for unexpected needs.3
- Keep a swimsuit and towel in your car during summer.1
- Store a rain poncho or umbrella in your vehicle to handle sudden downpours or enable walking regardless of weather.3
Rotate the clothes kept in your car to match the current season.
Winter gear like wool sweaters and long johns is useless in summer.
one person who lived it
Keep strong rope or paracord, a sharp blade, a flashlight, and a compact thermal blanket in your car.
It never hurts to have these items available.
one person who lived it
Include versatile clothing options in your vehicle, such as jeans, chinos, shirts, jackets, sweaters, and boots.
It helps avoid ruining business-casual clothing if you get a flat tire or face other roadside issues.
- Cotton absorbs moisture, so wool is suggested for sweaters.
one person who lived it
Keep cling wrap in your car.
It makes transporting leftovers much easier.
one person who lived it
If you live in rural areas with heavy snow where tow trucks may be delayed, keep a big candle, lighter, and blanket in your car for warmth.
tow trucks aren't coming until tomorrow
one person who lived it
Keep a compact fire suppression device in the car to address engine fires.
Using a dedicated extinguisher might be more effective than pouring water on hot electrical components.
3 people, independently
Renew roadside assistance memberships to avoid high towing fees during breakdowns far from home.
One person reported paying ridiculous towing fees when they did not renew and broke down far from home.
one person who lived it
If you are stranded in cold weather, use spare clothes in your car as extra insulation.
One person reported that extra clothing added insulation when walking miles in winter after their gas line froze.
one person who lived it
Keep spare shoes in your car for when current footwear gets soaked, broken, or unsuitable for conditions like snow.
One person avoided wearing soaked shoes to work after a gas station incident; another avoided buying heels mid-presentation.
2 people, independently
Keep plastic bags or a bin in your car for garbage disposal.
6 people, independently
Keep a flashlight in your car with batteries stored separately until needed.
To prevent battery drain or corrosion.
- Test the flashlight regularly to ensure batteries do not die.
2 people, independently
Include regular meals like canned foods in your car emergency kit rather than MREs, so loved ones have more comforting options.
Loved ones may appreciate regular meals over freeze-dried options.
one person who lived it
Keep insulated gloves in your car for cold weather protection and utility tasks.
Changing a tire in winter with bare hands is unpleasant; work gloves are always handy.
2 people, independently
Carry a small saw to cut branches for traction support or firewood if stuck in mud or snow.
one person who lived it
Avoid leaving valuables or visible items in your car, as thieves may take everything, including emergency supplies.
Thieves often clean out the entire vehicle to sort through items later.
one person who lived it
Add toilet paper and hand sanitizer to your car's emergency supplies.
One person used these items during a soccer tournament weekend.
one person who lived it
Periodically test emergency batteries and flashlights to ensure they are functional.
To avoid finding dead batteries or a broken flashlight when you need them.
one person who lived it
If you live in a harsh climate, modify your car emergency kit seasonally to match local conditions.
Different equipment is often needed for different seasons.
2 people, independently
Add deodorant and basic toiletries to your emergency kit to address hygiene oversights or needs.
People often forget to put on deodorant as they get older.
one person who lived it
Keep a garbage bag in your locker or car to contain soiled clothes and prevent odors from bothering others.
to prevent the person next to you from smelling your dirty clothes
one person who lived it
Prepare for potential overnight delays caused by floods, mudslides, fires, or breakdowns.
Short drives can turn into overnight situations quickly in remote areas.
one person who lived it
Keep wet wipes, hand cleaner, or makeup remover wipes in your car for hygiene, such as cleaning hands before touching the steering wheel or for outdoor needs.
8 people, independently

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Carry baby wipes in your car for various cleaning needs, even if you do not have children.
They are effective for cleaning stains, bug splatter on windshields, and personal hygiene issues.
3 people, independently
Throw your old pair of shoes in the trunk when buying new sneakers.
One person found changing a tire in wedges or flip flops to be a -5/10 experience and does not recommend it.
one person who lived it
Carry a wheel chock in your car.
To secure the vehicle if you get a flat tire on a hill.
one person who lived it
Use a baby floor jack instead of a scissors jack for stability when changing tires.
Baby floor jacks are much more stable than scissors jacks.
one person who lived it

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Check wear items like tires and load test the battery regularly.
They are wear items.
one person who lived it
Carry a multi-tool like a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife.
A quality tool is an investment that can last a lifetime.
one person who lived it
Keep diapers and a full pack of unscented wipes in the car for toddlers or absorbing spills.
Diapers are effective at absorbing various substances, and a full pack may be needed in bad situations.
one person who lived it
Use high-quality windshield washer fluid rather than cheap gas station brands to prevent ice buildup on the windshield.
It helps ice slide right off, reducing the effort needed to scrape it.
one person who lived it
Store sneakers, socks, underwear, and shirts in a dry box or ammo container to organize things.
Those containers seem really nice to be able to organize things.
one person who lived it
Carry a floor jack instead of relying solely on the manufacturer's included jack.
The manufacturer's jack is often horrible.
one person who lived it