Car emergency kit: what to keep in the trunk, summer and winter

Every winter, somewhere, thousands of drivers are stuck for hours on roads closed by snow. In summer, a breakdown on a motorway in a heatwave becomes a real danger, especially for children and older people. A well-thought-out kit in the trunk takes little space and makes the difference between an unpleasant situation and a dangerous one.

What the law requires

The rules depend on where you drive. Across Europe, many countries require a warning triangle, a first aid kit, a high-visibility vest for each occupant and sometimes a fire extinguisher, and some require winter tires or snow chains in certain conditions. In the US and Canada there is generally no legal kit requirement, but the same items are strongly recommended. If you drive abroad, check the rules for every country you cross.

The basic kit, all year

• Flashlight (ideally a head torch) and batteries
• Car phone charger and a power bank
• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
• Inflated spare wheel or a tire repair kit, jack and wrench
• A few bottles of water and non-perishable snacks
• Work gloves
• Duct tape, pocket knife, a few cable ties
• Printed map of the areas you drive through often
• Window-breaking hammer and seatbelt cutter within the driver’s reach

Extra in winter

• A thick blanket or sleeping bag for each passenger
• Hat, gloves and spare socks
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Folding shovel
• A bag of sand or cat litter for traction
• Snow chains for mountain roads
• De-icer spray for windows and locks
• Tank always above half

Extra in summer

• Extra water (at least 1.5 liters per person)
• Windshield sunshade
• Hats and sunscreen
• Damp cloths for cooling down

If you get stranded

1. Stay in the car, especially in winter. The car protects you and is easier to find than a person on foot.
2. Call the emergency number and say exactly where you are (road number, mile or kilometer marker, last town, direction of travel).
3. Run the engine for about 10 minutes an hour for heat. Each time, check that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and open a window slightly on the side away from the wind.
4. Turn on your hazard lights or tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna so you can be seen.
5. Move your arms and legs from time to time to keep your circulation going.
6. Save your phone battery: close apps you don’t need and text instead of calling.

The car kit complements your 72-hour emergency kit; it doesn’t replace it. If you leave home in an evacuation, take both.