The Ultimate JUSTinCASE Car Kit

Keep these things in your car:

Whether your car breaks down in a remote location, you're involved in an accident, or you're just caught in a pinch, you might just save the day by keeping your car stocked with these things. 

Emergency Items

• First aid/medical kit. Click here for my list of what to put in it.

• List of phone numbers. If don't have your cell phone, or if it breaks or dies, do you know the number of your neighbors, children's schools, or spouse's work, by heart? 

• Extra house key.

• Cell phone battery charger and cord

• Toll/parking/emergency money – At least $5 of bills and change. You never want to be caught at a toll booth hoping to find random quarters that may have fallen in between the seats.

• Pocket knife/multi-tool

• Flash light

• Battery operated radio

• Blanket (we've used this for impromptu picnics more than emergencies)

• Matches/lighter
• Whistle
• Jumper cables
• Flares

• Water - keep in an insulated lunch box or grocery bag, since overheating can cause chemicals to leach into the water.

• Snacks - quick, compact, and long-lasting ones like a few granola bars. Resist using them for non-emergencies, unless you're good at remembering to restock!

Convenience Items

• Umbrellas/ponchos

• Reusable shopping bag(s)

• Tissues

• Lip balm

• Nail clippers

• Safety pins

• Pen

• Sunscreen

• Tide pen/Shout wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Gum/mints

• For women: Hair bands, tampons

• Plastic bag

• Napkins/Paper towels or wipes

"MacGyver" Items 

• Bungee cords 

• Zip ties. You never know - these have randomly come in handy a few times.

• Scissors
• Parachute cords/rope

Baby/Kids' items

• Formula, if used

• Diapers

• Wipes

• Small toys, activity books, paper/crayons (I have a special small bag just for waiting in restaurants or waiting for appointments!) 

**For a container - use whatever makes sense. Items that need to be more accessible while driving, we keep in the glove box or center console (money, pen, gum, tissues). The rest of the items go in a a container in the trunk.