The Car Emergency Kit Every Woman Should Have (Printable Checklist)

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A flat tire on a dark highway. A snowstorm that shuts down the interstate for hours. A dead phone and no signal. Most of us spend hours a week in our cars, and that is exactly where emergencies love to find us.

A good car kit fits in one bin in your trunk and costs less than a tank of gas to build. Here is everything that should be in it, organized so you can actually find things when it counts.

The basics: every car, every season

• Phone charger and a charged power bank. Your phone is your lifeline. Keep the bank charged and check it monthly.
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries. A headlamp keeps your hands free to change a tire.
• First aid kit. Bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, tweezers and any personal medications.
• Water. At least a few bottles per person. Rotate them every few months, since heat breaks down plastic.
• Snacks that last: granola bars, nuts, crackers and peanut butter packets.
• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter. A jump starter means you do not need to find another car. Big win when you are alone.
• Tire inflator or can of tire sealant, plus a tire pressure gauge.
• Reflective triangles or LED road flares so other drivers see you.
• Multi-tool or basic tool kit.
• Cash in small bills. Card readers and ATMs fail in outages.
• Paper map of your state and route. GPS fails without signal.
• Emergency contact card with phone numbers written down, in case your phone dies.

Winter add-ons

If you live anywhere it snows, getting stuck in your car is a real possibility. Add these from November to March:

• Warm blankets or a sleeping bag
• Hat, gloves, warm socks and an extra coat
• Hand and foot warmers
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• A small foldable shovel
• Kitty litter or sand for traction if you get stuck

Summer add-ons

• Extra water, more than you think
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A battery-powered fan
• Cooling towels

Extras for women who drive alone

• A whistle or personal alarm on your keychain.
• A seatbelt cutter and window breaker tool within reach of the driver’s seat, not in the trunk.
• A spare phone charging cable in your purse.
• Comfortable walking shoes. If you ever have to walk for help, you do not want to do it in heels or sandals.
• Feminine hygiene products, wipes and a change of clothes. Small things that make a long wait a lot more bearable.

The long-distance family emergency bag

If you have family who live far away, like a parent in another state, keep a small bag ready so you can leave quickly if they need you:

• 3 days of clothes and toiletries
• Copies of important documents (ID, insurance cards, medication lists) in a waterproof bag
• A list of their doctors, medications and neighbors’ phone numbers
• Prescription medications for at least a week
• A planned route plus a backup route, and a list of towns where you can stop for fuel

If fuel is likely to be scarce on your route, read our guide on how to store gasoline safely.

Car habits that matter more than any gear

1. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Always. Especially in winter and before storms.
2. Check tire pressure monthly, including the spare.
3. Know how to change a tire before you need to. Practice once in your driveway.
4. Check your kit twice a year, when the clocks change. Swap water, snacks and seasonal items, and recharge the power bank and jump starter.

Printable checklist

• Phone charger + power bank
• Flashlight or headlamp + batteries
• First aid kit + medications
• Water + snacks
• Jump starter or jumper cables
• Tire inflator or sealant + gauge
• Reflective triangles or flares
• Multi-tool
• Cash + paper map + emergency contact card
• Seasonal: blankets, warm gear, shovel, or extra water and fan
• Personal: whistle, window breaker, walking shoes, hygiene kit