10 Thing Every Driver Must Absolutely Have In Their Car

We all assume that our car exists simply to get us from point A to B, not giving much thought to what can happen along the way. But being prepared isn't just for Boy Scouts, and it's we both know that if your car breaks down, or any number of other things goes wrong, you'll wish you had some of the following items with you. The following are items that every driver should absolutely have in their car at all times. We assume that you already have a spare tire, hazard triangles, and a jack and lug wrench in the vehicle, as these are standard features, but here are some others you may not have thought of, but should be in your at all times.

1) Fire extinguisher - A small fire extinguisher in your vehicle can be a life-saver, and a car-saver. While it's best to get away from your car as soon as possible if you see a fire starting, an extinguisher can help when it's a smaller fire. A wiring short circuit or leaking oil can start a fire, so always be vigilant.

2) Knife - A folding knife can come in very handy in various situations, from cutting rope, to opening packages when necessary. Make sure that you comply with your state and city laws regarding possession of a knife as some areas could potentially have a size limit or prohibit certain styles.

3) Cell phone & charger - It's very important to have a cell phone and charger in your car at all times. If you're broken down on the side of the road, you will want to call for help, whether it's to roadside assistance or a friend or family member. Don't leave the house without a charger and 1 bar of battery left.

4) Warm blanket - In the event that you run out of gas, or your car's battery dies, you won't be able to use your heat. It's important to have a blanket handy on such occasions so you can keep yourself from freezing while waiting for help to arrive. It may help for sleepovers too.

5) Drinking water - There isn't a 7-11 in the middle of nowhere, and the human body needs water to survive. Always keep bottled water available, preferrably in the trunk of your vehicle. It may get hot in the summer, but it's better than being dehydrated while stranded on the side of the road.

6) First-aid kit - A fairly obvious one, a car's first-aid kit should contain the following: bandages, aspirin, adhesive tape, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream, and anything else specific to you and your family, such as medications that you are required to take regularly.

7) Ice scraper - An ice scraper can be a life saver if you live in any area where ice tends to form. Driving without scraping the ice from your windows is a recipie for disaster, and trying to use your fingernails to get rid of it will take hours.

8) Coins & cash - The coins come in handy for unexpected tolls, parking meters, and snack machines, and the cash is just a small emergency fund in the event you lose your wallet or find yourself in a situation where they don't accept your cards. Try not to spend this money at the bar, it's for your vehicle.

9) Jumper cables - No matter how new your car and battery are, you always, always, always want to have jumper cables in the trunk. Any number of things can cause your battery to die, and there could always be instances where someone else needs a jump start. Who knows, maybe your future husband.

10) Flashlight - Unless you have evolved past all other humans to the point where you can see in the dark, you will want to have a flashlight (with charged batteries) in your car at all times. Half of the day is spent in darkness, so don't get caught in the middle of nowhere without the ability to see.

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