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. 

The Ultimate First Aid and Medical Kit

THE ULTIMATE FIRST AID AND MEDICAL KIT

Keep this in the car, or while you travel on a plane!

A lot of people keep small first aid kids on hand, but rarely have basic OTC or prescription medication readily available, if you're caught in bad situation and need them. I especially urge everyone to carry aspirin, as it can be life saving in the event of a heart attack (which should be chewed - not swallowed, in that case). 

All of these items can fit into a cosmetic bag, large Ziploc bag, or large pencil box. For the car, I recommend placing the items in an insulated lunch box, since these items should not be exposed to heat.

I think it's especially important to have a kit on hand while traveling overseas, where it may be more difficult to find a pharmacy or particular medicine. And in any case, sickness doesn't discriminate the time of day it comes...who wants to go out for meds in the middle of the night? If you keep this kit in your car, you shouldn't ever have to!

• Liquid bandage serum - this is better for a deep cut
• Instant cold pack (they "freeze" upon activation) 
• Gauze pads
• Bandages
• Medical tape
• Antibiotic cream
• Antiseptic wipes
• Aspirin - **while this isn't my pain reliever of choice, it CAN SAVE A LIFE in the event of a heart attack!! 
• Child and/or infant pain reliever (and cup/syringe)
• Child allergy medicine like Benadryl (for a reaction)
• Burn cream
• Anti-itch cream
• Diaper cream (for babies)
• Bug spray or wipes
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Any prescription medication (I always keep a few in a small pill box, clearly labeled with the contents, dosage, and expiration date), inhaler, or epinephrine pen
• Not pictured items
• Allergy meds like Claritin, if you're prone to allergies
• Cough medicine/lozenges 
• Cotton swabs
• Non-latex gloves

Tips: 

- Routinely check the expiration dates!

- Make sure it's kept SAFELY in the car, so children do not get into it.

- Infant pain reliever comes in a smaller bottle, if you're concerned about space. You can administer it to an older child, if needed. Just pay attention to the dosage.

- Liquid medications are allowed through security at airports. Keep them separated in a sandwich bag within this box (or larger bag), so it can more conveniently be taken out and put separately onto the conveyor belt for screening.