What to pack to keep you safe while on the road.

Chances are, somewhere in your car you have a few things tucked away in case of an emergency. There are the usual items – jumper cables, an ice scraper, tire pressure gage, maybe even a first aid kit. But whether you’re gearing up for a road trip or just out running errands, have an emergency kit at the ready.

Need to know where to start? We’ve outlined a list of go-to items:

First aid – Pick up a pre-assembled kit at any pharmacy or major retailer.

For your car – Jumper cables, flares or reflective triangles, flashlight (and extra batteries), basic tool kit, shovel (retractable if space is an issue), ice scraper, non-clumping kitty litter (for tire traction), tire chains, and duct tape.

Food and water – Non-perishable food items (nuts, high calorie energy and protein bars) and water (rule of thumb is one gallon of water per person for at least three days).

Clothes and blankets – Warm clothes, hats and gloves for each passenger. Pack a blanket but also pack a few Heatsheets – they’re great for keeping you warm or cool (depending on which side you’re using) and take up very little space in the car.

Kids – Don’t overlook diapers and wipes if you’re traveling with kids.

Pets – Remember to pack food and water if you’re traveling with pets.

Misc. – Cell phone with extra batteries or portable charger (fully charged), pocket knife, plastic whistle (for signaling help), paper towels and baby wipes.

Place items in a large plastic container so that you can quickly locate what you need, when you need it.

Hopefully all of your drives will go smoothly, but if you ever run out of gas on the road or you get stuck in the snow or mud, having a roadside emergency kit will be a welcome addition to your car.

To learn more about why Heatsheets are an essential addition to your emergency car kit and for a list of local retail stores carrying Heatsheets emergency blankets and bivvys, click here.