You never know when you’ll find yourself in an emergency situation, which is why it always pays to be prepared. Whether you’re a few miles from home or a few hundred, you don’t want to get stranded on the side of the road. It’s important to keep your car in good repair with your Waltham mechanic, but accidents still happen, and it’s best to be ready. Now that winter will be here before we know it, our team at Weston Automotive has put together a short list of some of the items you should always keep in your car.
It pays to be prepared! Here are a few things you should always have in your car.
First Aid Kit
Even if you just need a bandaid, it’s handy to have a first aid kit in your car. But if you or a passenger have a more severe injury, you’ll be thankful that you had some basic medical supplies on hand until you can get medical care or emergency services arrive. First aid kits also often include a mylar space blanket, which you’ll want in the cold. They barely take up any space, and they are very effective insulators.
Basic Tools
You never know when you’ll have to change a tire, so you should always have a tire iron on hand. When you bought your car, the right-size tire iron should have been included with your spare tire. (You should always have one of those in your car, too.) In addition to your tire iron, it’s also a good idea to have a wrench, a couple of screwdrivers, and a multi-tool. If something comes loose, you’ll want to be able to secure it at least temporarily until your Waltham mechanic can take a look. Duct tape and zip ties are handy for this purpose as well.
Ice Scraper and Snow Brush
Every New Englander knows never to leave home in the winter without a scraper and a snowbrush. Some of us leave them in the car year-round, just in case. If it starts to snow while you’re at work, you’ll need to be able to clear it off your car before you drive home. When ice builds up on your windshield overnight, your defroster will need a little help, unless you want to let your car idle for ages.