Look, we get it — you don’t want to clutter up your car with unnecessary junk. But being unprepared on the road? It’s not worth the risk. Whether you’re on your daily commute or headed on a road trip, there are some essential items you should keep in your car for emergencies.

From a dead battery, a flat tire, or keeping warm in an unexpected snow storm, these are things that we’ve learned from experts at the American Red Cross, from car forums, and from our own personal experience that you should always keep with you.

Jumper Cables

According to Nationwide Insurance, car batteries can last three to five years — the lifespan really depends on how well you maintain the car and the battery. But sometimes, car batteries can unexpectedly die. This is especially common when you accidentally leave a light on, draining the battery. Or, if you have an old Mazda Miata like me, it’s known to have battery-draining issues, so you just gotta cross your fingers every time you leave the car meet.

To avoid these emergencies becoming more tedious than they have to be, it’s smart to always have jumper cables in your car. This way, you can have someone help you jump-start the car. You can also get a portable jump starter, allowing you to give your car a boost without any other cars needed.

Blanket

It may sound silly, but an extra blanket in your car is a real game-changer. On Reddit, one blanket enthusiast noted all the ways that a seemingly random blanket came in handy, including keeping a car accident victim warm while waiting for the police and placing it on the hot pavement to make it more comfortable while fixing a flat.

And the most obvious reason to keep a blanket? If you get cold yourself. This can happen while waiting inside your car for any reason, whether it’s a break during a road trip or after an accident.

Fire Extinguisher

You don’t need to be on the racetrack to benefit from a fire extinguisher in your car. While it’s always smart to have a fire extinguisher in a track car due to the increased risk of an accident, the highway isn’t safe from freak accidents.

Keeping a fire extinguisher within grabbing distance can save your life if your car catches fire. According to NFPA, fire departments responded to 215,096 vehicle fires from 2018 to 2022 — and that number isn’t going down anytime soon.

Cell Phone Charger

I’d be shocked if there was anyone without a phone charger in their car, but it’s still gotta be on this list because there’s no denying it’s essential.

Check what cord works best for your car, but most newer models should have a USB port by now. If you want to take it to another level, keep a portable battery bank in your glove compartment, just in case you’re ever in a situation where your car battery is dead and you need to call AAA.

First Aid Kit

This is not unique to cars, but your vehicle is just one of many places you should have a first aid kit ready. You never know when — or where — an emergency will strike. You can also make your own first aid kit.

According to American Red Cross, a proper first aid kit should have compress dressings, bandages, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, non-latex gloves, gauze roll, tweezers, and a blanket. See? We told you to bring a blanket!

Road Flares

Car enthusiasts believe that it can’t hurt to have some road flares in your trunk. These can be used to provide a very visible warning to other drivers if you end up stuck on the side of the road.

This can ultimately save your car (or you) from getting hit if there’s poor visibility due to the weather or time of day. This can also make it easier for safety personnel to find you if you’re in an isolated area.

Cat Litter

Stay with us here. If you live in an area where the winters can get scary, kitty litter is almost an essential item, along with an ice scraper and a shovel.

Cat litter can create makeshift traction when the roads are slippery from ice or snow, allowing your car to regain some grip if you’re stuck. That’s because clay cat litter is super absorbent, reducing moisture. Keep cat litter in its container, or put it into something smaller to keep some handy. It’s also a good idea to make sure your tires can handle the snow before heading out.

Spare Tire

If you’re lucky enough to have a trunk, why not keep an extra tire back there? There’s nothing worse than driving over a nail or broken glass, leaving your tire flat and your life in danger on the side of the road. When you sense something’s wrong with your tires, immediately pull over. If you have a spare tire and the tools to replace it, you can get back on the road in no time.

While it’s important to have a spare tire, it’s also just as critical to know how to change a flat tire. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends changing tires every five years, which can reduce the likelihood of ending up stuck on the side of the highway. Just make sure you’re not picking tires that are too cheap — this can cost you in the long run.

Tool Kit

It’s super important to have a basic tool kit in the trunk, ready to take on some of the more common, but easy-to-fix issues you may come across while on the road.

Some of the recommended tools to have include a socket set, screwdrivers, a wrench set, wire cutters and pliers, a jack stand, a hammer, and a breaker bar.

Flashlight

Having a flashlight and extra batteries in your car is essential in emergency situations. A phone flashlight is a great backup, but it’s often not bright enough to allow you to see more than a few steps in front of you.

If your car breaks down at night, having a high-powered flashlight can help you find your way to somewhere safe or give you the light you need to use your aforementioned tools to fix what’s wrong.