As a mum, part of my job is trying to always think ahead. I’m always trying to plan for potential mishaps and trying to limit the number of things that could go wrong. For this reason, there are a number of items I always keep in my car and try to replace if/when they’ve been used. That way, if ever we break down on a long journey or weather conditions change drastically, I’m not left high and dry with the kids – which you can guarantee will happen when you’re totally unprepared!
1. Torch
Whether it’s that you’ve broken down on a street in the pitch black, or one of the kids needs the toilet and you need to walk into the bushes with them at night, or even something like a nappy change, having a torch to hand in the glove box can help you out of a lot of tricky spots. It’s also pretty good for flagging people down.
2. Wet Weather Gear
This has been a godsend for me on many occasions. I always keep an umbrella, a heavy raincoat and a women’s waterproof poncho in the boot of my car, plus the boys always have some kind of outdoor gear in the car from the journey before, wellies included! That way, we’re covered for most changes in weather. No matter what the reason, from an important meeting where I need to not look like a drowned rat, or the kids have been caught in a rainstorm and need some shelter, I have it covered.
3. First Aid Kit
Knowing that I have enough plasters, bandages or antiseptic to go around the whole family gives me peace of mind whenever we go on long journeys. Hopefully I’ll never have to use it, but for me this is an essential item; I know that if ever I’m in the situation where one of the kids has had a bit of an accident or needs urgent attention, I’m prepared. Jamie has one that he’s carried around for a few years now and it’s something we don’t really leave home without, especially on longer journeys. You never know, it certainly might even come in handy for someone else on the roads.
4. Blanket
This may sound simple, but evenings can easily turn very cold and all it takes is to stop the car for a matter of minutes and you can give your children that instant warmth they’ve been crying for. Who wouldn’t want that? Especially if you’re stuck on a mountain on the way home from skiing, which happened to us 2 years ago! Plus they’re always handy if you fancy a little snooze.
5. Bottled Water
This may sound like a strange one; after all, who’s going to want to drink room temperature water? Well, on those occasions where you’re melting with the heat, some emergency water can keep the kids from being dehydrated, but this is mainly for using on your radiator. It’s always handy to know that you have water available to quickly top it up if there’s a weather change, or if you’ve simply forgotten about it. It’s also amazing if your windscreen wash runs out, which has happened to me on more than one occasion.
6. USB Port and Charger
These days we’re always on our phones, so there’s a good chance that if you’re on a long journey and you break down or you need to make an urgent phone call, that you’ll go to use it only to realise your battery is dead. You can get very affordable USB ports that plug straight into the cigarette lighter of a car, and keeping a duplicate charging cable will be a huge relief if you’re ever in a tight spot. We’ve got one in each of our cars just to make sure.
Are there any items you keep in your car for emergencies? Is there anything I’m missing?
*This is a collaborative post