Car Emergency Kit: What Should Really Be Inside?

The legally required equipment in a vehicle in the UK is limited: whilst there are no specific legal requirements to carry emergency equipment, it's strongly recommended to have a warning triangle, high-visibility vest, and first aid kit. These basic items are insufficient for many situations. Anyone wanting to be prepared for breakdowns, accidents, or other emergencies should supplement their vehicle with additional equipment. The question is what makes sense and what just takes up unnecessary space in the boot. We provide an overview of the truly useful components of a well-thought-out emergency kit.

Recommended Basic Equipment

Whilst the UK doesn't legally mandate specific emergency equipment as some European countries do, certain items are strongly recommended by motoring organisations and road safety experts. The warning triangle has been a standard piece of equipment for decades. It's used to secure accident and breakdown sites and must be visible to approaching traffic when placed on or beside the carriageway. Recommended placement distances vary by road type and serve to give following vehicles sufficient reaction time.

A high-visibility vest is essential equipment, even if not legally required in the UK. The vest must be worn when leaving the vehicle after a breakdown or accident and significantly increases visibility. For optimal protection, carrying a high-visibility vest for each occupant is recommended.

A first aid kit completes the recommended basic equipment. The contents should include various sized bandages, plasters, scissors, safety pins, disposable gloves, and a foil blanket. The first aid kit should be within its expiry date and regularly checked for completeness. Expired materials may have lost their sterility and should be replaced.

Sensible Additions for Everyday Use

Beyond the recommended requirements, a range of items exists that can be extremely helpful in certain situations. Assembling an extended emergency kit should be based on the most likely scenarios and the vehicle owner's individual needs.

A torch is among the most versatile aids in a vehicle. During breakdowns in darkness, it enables orientation and working on the vehicle. After an accident, it can serve to inspect damage or search for lost items. Modern LED torches are compact, durable, and offer high light output with low power consumption. Regular battery checks are important, or a model with rechargeable battery and charging function.

A foil blanket takes up hardly any space when folded and can be life-saving in various situations. The silver-gold foil insulates against both cold and heat. In accidents, it protects injured persons from hypothermia; during winter breakdowns, it provides additional insulation whilst waiting for help. The gold side facing outward reflects solar radiation; the silver side facing outward retains body heat.

Technical Aids for Vehicle Breakdowns

Besides the already discussed means for puncture repair, other technical aids exist that can be useful for vehicle problems. Whether to carry them depends on individual risk assessment and the driver's technical knowledge.

Jump leads enable starting a vehicle with a flat battery using a donor vehicle. Correct use requires knowledge of polarity and the right sequence for connecting and disconnecting. Modern lithium-ion jump starters offer an alternative without a donor vehicle and can additionally serve as a power bank for electronic devices. Their capacity typically suffices for multiple start attempts.

A tow rope or tow bar can help in situations where the vehicle can no longer drive under its own power but is still towable. Using a tow rope requires coordination between the drivers of both vehicles and is subject to legal regulations regarding marking and maximum speed. Tow bars offer more control but are bulkier to store.

Documents and Communication Aids

In case of an accident or breakdown, certain documents are required or at least helpful. Keeping them in the vehicle saves time and avoids complications during accident recording or claims settlement.

The European Accident Statement is a standardised form that considerably simplifies accident documentation. It's completed by both parties involved in the accident and contains all relevant information about vehicles, drivers, accident circumstances, and damage. The uniform structure facilitates later processing by insurers, particularly for accidents abroad.

A pen for completing the accident statement also belongs in the vehicle. In the digital age, this seems banal, yet after an accident a working pen is no certainty. An additional notepad enables recording information, registration numbers, or witness statements.

The most important phone numbers should also be available independently of the mobile phone. A flat battery or damaged phone can make communication impossible. A card with the numbers of breakdown services, insurance, and important contacts provides backup for this eventuality.

Seasonal Adjustments

The optimal composition of an emergency kit varies with the seasons. Certain risks increase in winter months, whilst others are more summer in character. Seasonal adjustment of equipment increases readiness.

In winter, cold and snow take centre stage. Warm gloves enable work on the vehicle without risk of frostbite. A small shovel helps dig out stuck wheels. De-icer for locks and windows prevents morning freezing. A warm blanket offers additional protection during longer waits in the cold. Grit or traction mats can be the crucial help in freeing a stuck vehicle on ice.

Summer brings other challenges. Sufficient drinking water should always be carried during journeys in the hot season. During a breakdown in summer heat, dehydration threatens quickly without fluid intake. A sun shade for the windscreen prevents extreme heating of the interior whilst parked. For journeys into areas without mobile reception, an analogue backup gains importance.

Organisation and Storage

The mere presence of emergency equipment in the vehicle isn't enough. Items must be quickly findable and accessible in an emergency. Thoughtful organisation saves valuable time and prevents important aids from being buried under other boot contents.

A dedicated emergency bag or box gathers all important items together and prevents them spreading around the boot. The bag should have a fixed place and remain there even after loading and unloading the boot. Some vehicles offer special compartments or attachment options for such equipment.

The arrangement within the bag follows frequency and urgency of use. The high-visibility vest should lie at the top or outside, as it must be put on first. The warning triangle also needs quick access. Items needed less frequently can be stored further down.

Regular inventory of emergency equipment ensures all components are present and ready for use. Expiry dates of first aid materials and sealants are checked, torch batteries tested, completeness verified. A fixed date, such as the twice-yearly tyre change, serves as a reminder for this routine.