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With the rush that many of us experience when getting a new car, it becomes easy to forget things that you should put in it.

There are several simple, and often cheap, items that you should keep in your car to prevent emergencies and increase the convenience of everyday life. The following are 11 things you should make sure to have in your new vehicle.

1.      Jumper Cables

Hopefully since you just got your car your battery won’t die, but there is always the chance that you could accidentally leave your door ajar. As one of the must-have emergency tools to have on a road trip, jumper cables are good to have on hand. Even if you end up not needing them, you likely will know someone who does at some point.

2.      Dashcam

With today’s developments in technology, dashcams are both affordable and user-friendly. If you do not want to go and get a permanent fixture placed in your brand-new vehicle, you can always get one that suctions onto your windshield and plugs into your 9V socket, or cigarette lighter. One of the great advantages of these devices is that it gives you proof for insurance claims, police reports, and added security.

3.      Non-perishable Food

Regardless of who you are, at some point, you are going to get trapped in traffic, have to wait in line or otherwise be stuck in your vehicle. Having some non-perishable food with you can help you in your times of need, especially if you have children wanting a snack. It also may prove valuable if you get stranded after an accident or if you just get hungry one day!

4.      Bumper Skid Plate

Naturally, being the closest contact point from the road, your bumper is vulnerable to getting scraped up. When your car is still new it is the best time to protect your paint and install a bumper skid plate. Some skid plates, like SLiPLO’s Skid Plate,  can be installed by anyone, can be mailed to your house, and take very little time to set up. Afterward, you won’t have to worry about that dip at the end of your road nor any pothole ever again.

5.      Cellphone Charger

The last thing you need is for your phone to die while you are lost on a deserted stretch of road. There are phone chargers that plug into your 9V socket, many of which have two USB ports so that you can have more than one thing powered at a time, such as your dashboard camera. Even if you do not need to charge your phone in an emergency, it is still very convenient to be able to keep your phone charged no matter where you go.  

6.      First Aid Kit

Getting into an accident is an inherent risk of driving. Because of this, a fully equipped first aid kit should be stored in your vehicle. An example of a good first aid kit is Red Cross’s Deluxe Family First Aid Kit and includes pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, antiseptics, sanitizers, various gauzes and dressings, cold compresses, one-way valve CPR mask, thermometers, slings and more. Any first aid kit you get, make sure that it comes with a full array of emergency medical items and not only a couple of bandages. Most importantly, make sure it comes with a first aid guide.

7.      Window Hammer and Seatbelt Cutter Combo Tool

With any luck, you will never have to use this tool, but it can literally be a lifesaver. If you were to end up submerged in a body of water inside of your vehicle, the weight of the water on the doors will make it almost impossible to open the door and electronics may fail. A window hammer can break the window with little force and allow for your escape. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on average 384 drowning deaths occur annually because of being trapped underwater in a vehicle. This tool can get you to safety as well as allow you to cut your way from being trapped by the seatbelt after an accident.

8.      Emergency Flares

This is another small item that can fit in a seat pocket out of view that could be useful after an accident. In conditions where it is hard to see, debris from the accident can be a hazard to other drivers. Worse, they may be unable to see your vehicle and collide into the back of it if turning your hazard lights on is not possible. Emergency flares are easy to use and widely recognizable.

9.      Roadside Emergency Kit

One of the most important, if not the most important, things to have in your vehicle is a roadside emergency kit such as BlikZone’s Auto Roadside Emergency kit. Most kits will include some of the other things on this list, killing multiple birds with one stone. This particular roadside emergency kit Includes a warning triangle, jumper cables, foil blanket, duct tape, air compressor, gloves, flashlight, bungee cord, rain jacket, safety vest, tow straps and hooks, tire repair kit, 18 fuses and a 6/12 VDC circuit tester pen plus more.

10. Spare Tire, Lug Wrench, and Carjack

One of the benefits of choosing a roadside emergency kit with an air compressor is that you will not have to change to a spare tire every time your tire goes flat. Sometimes, a tire repair kit and an air compressor are not enough. In this case, being able to change out your tire for your spare is invaluable. Do not worry about taking up too much space. Many vehicles have compartments where these tools can go, and if not, there are many smaller options when it comes to carjacks.

11. A Roll of Quarters

Life is full of unexpected moments and preparing for them can relieve a lot of stressful moments. A roll of quarters is an easy thing to forget to put in a new vehicle but having a roll in your car is always useful for unforeseen tolls and parking meters. They might also find themselves used under different circumstances when you just need a little extra change.

12. Road Atlas

With Google Maps and GPS, many people have abandoned road atlases. Although these options save a lot of time and effort when figuring out where to go, if you find yourself in a place where GPS signals have been knocked out or your phone has died, a current road atlas will get you where you are going. If you do not want to get a full atlas, you can always get paper maps of your area and surrounding towns.