Whether you like it or not the possibility of a roadside emergency is real. Having an emergency kit could make the difference in that emergency until you can find help. You can make your own emergency kit and stuff it into your glove compartment elsewhere. Here is the checklist:

This is where you want to keep the things you would have to get to right away in the moment of an emergency.

• Fully charged cellular phone: This is something you definitely won�t want to be without. Calling for help is the safest thing you can do when stranded somewhere. If you don�t normally use a cell phone, we recommend getting a pay-as-you-go phone to keep in your glove box. Don�t forget to keep the charger and adapter with the phone.
• Flashlight: This can be used to assess damage or flag down other drivers. You can also use it as an alternate light source inside your car. Leaving the dome light on in your car can wear down your battery. Be sure to leave the flashlight batteries separate so they won�t wear down as fast.
• First Aid Kit: Any pharmacy should carry some sort of inexpensive basic first aid kit. It should have things like band-aids, surgical tape, and antiseptic.
• Pen and Post-it Notes: These will be handy if you have to leave a note when you leave your car.
• Utility Knife: A Swiss army knife or similar product is always going to be useful.

Here are some other items you would be wise to keep in your car, especially for long trips or in the winter season. These items can be kept in the backseat or under the seats.

• Water: You can use bungee cord to keep a few liters steady in the backseat floor.
• Food: You should keep enough non-perishable items to last for about three days.
• Blankets and Warm Clothes: Just keep enough on hand to make sure everyone stays warm.
• Medication: If you take medication on a daily basis, keep a few days worth in your vehicle.
• Battery-Powered Radio: A good battery-powered radio can keep you up to date on weather and news reports without running down your car battery.
• Extra Batteries: Make sure you have all the sizes needed for your flashlight and radio.

The trunk is for all the bulkier items you might need. Some of these items will be best kept together in some sort of container and pushed to the rear of your trunk.

• Spare Tire: Check your spare regularly to ensure that it�s functional.
• Jack: Make sure you know how to use your jack before you have to change a tire when you�re stranded.
• Lug Wrench: You�ll need this to change the lug nuts when changing a flat tire.
• Jumper Cables: These are essential so make sure you have a good pair.
• Roadside Flares or reflective triangles: It�s important that people be able to see your car when you�re on the side of the road.
• Basic Tools: It will be useful to have a basic toolset with things like a socket set, various screw drivers, pliers, and scissors.
• Gloves: They�ll need to be sturdy and resilient to gasoline and solvent.
• Rags: A variety of old rags and paper towels will do nicely.
• Small fire extinguisher: Your extinguisher should be checked every year to make sure it is fully functional. Have it close by when making any kind of repairs on the road.
• Snow and ice equipment: A Bag of sand, kitty litter, or tire chains can be extremely useful in a bind. Some other important items are an ice scraper and brush and a can of de-icing fluid.