Must-have emergency items for your car

Our ability to move ourselves and goods across short and long distances is an important element of economic activity.

It is thus important that one also prepares oneself for any emergencies which may occur en route.

This may vary from a flat tyre, an accident or a flat battery, just to name a few.

Here is a checklist of the emergency items we suggest you always carry in your vehicle:

• A notebook and pen should be standard issue in every car

• Spare tyre, jack and other tools to change a flat or damaged tyre

• Emergency triangles and reflective jacket are essential to safeguard you and ensure visibility, especially with emergencies at night

• A tow rope

• Jumper cables in case your car’s battery needs to be brought back to life

• A well-equipped first aid kit

• Always good to have your car’s manual to hand, inclusive of dealer emergency contact numbers

• A good flashlight, but remember to check the batteries before you set off on your journey

• A raincoat or quality umbrella – it is not fun replacing a flat tyre in the rain without a raincoat

• A multi-tool like a Leatherman

• Warm clothes and a blanket or space blanket

• Extra water for both drinking and perhaps filling a problem radiator or cleaning your hands once you have repaired what needed to be repaired

• Battery charger for your phone

• Although we all use Google maps, a good old conventional paper map can be a lifesaver

• Spare cash

• A lighter

• A roll of duct tape. Like cable ties, duct tape can be used for an infinite number of temporary repairs  

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