You may not be able to prevent every delay, spill, breakdown or forgotten item—but a small amount of preparation can make an unexpected situation much easier to manage.

Parents often use the car as more than transportation.

It becomes a place for school drop-offs, grocery runs, medical appointments, weekend activities and long drives to visit family. On any ordinary day, a child may suddenly become hungry, spill a drink, get carsick or need a change of clothes.

More serious problems can also happen. A dead battery, flat tire, severe weather or roadside breakdown may leave a family waiting longer than expected.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends carrying an emergency roadside kit even in a well-maintained vehicle. Suggested supplies include a phone charger, first aid kit, flashlight, warning devices, jumper cables, water, nonperishable food, basic tools and emergency blankets.

The exact contents of a family car will depend on the children’s ages, the local climate and the length of the trip. However, these 12 essentials provide a practical place to begin.

1. The Correct Car Seat or Booster Seat

The most important safety item in a family vehicle is not stored in the trunk. It is the restraint that protects the child during every trip.

Children should ride in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt appropriate for their age, height and weight. CDC guidance recommends keeping children in the back seat until age 13 and continuing to use each type of child restraint until the child reaches its manufacturer’s height or weight limit.

Parents should regularly check that:

• The seat is installed tightly.

• The harness lies flat and fits snugly.

• The chest clip is positioned at armpit level.

• The child has not exceeded the seat’s height or weight limits.

• A forward-facing seat’s top tether is being used correctly.

• The seat has not expired or been recalled.

A properly installed car seat should generally move no more than one inch from side to side or front to back when tested at the belt path. Families who are unsure about installation can ask a certified child passenger safety technician for assistance; inspections are often available at no cost.

Cold-weather reminder: Thick, puffy coats can prevent a harness from fitting closely against a child’s body. NHTSA recommends using thin, warm layers under the harness and placing a coat or blanket over the securely fastened straps.

2. A Well-Stocked First Aid Kit

A basic first aid kit can help a parent handle minor cuts, scrapes, splinters, swelling or other small injuries until professional care is available.

The American Red Cross recommends keeping a first aid kit both at home and in the vehicle.

A family car kit may include:

• Adhesive bandages in several sizes

• Sterile gauze pads

• Medical tape

• Antiseptic wipes

• Antibiotic ointment

• Disposable gloves

• Tweezers

• Small scissors

• An instant cold pack

• An elastic bandage

• A first aid instruction card

Store the kit in a clearly marked container where an adult can reach it quickly but young children cannot open it.

Check the supplies several times a year. Replace used, damaged or expired items, and make sure adhesive bandages and sealed packages have not been affected by moisture.

Be careful with medicines

It may be tempting to leave pain relievers, allergy medicine or prescription medication inside the first aid kit. However, cars can experience extreme temperature changes.

The FDA notes that improper storage and exposure to high temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of some medicines. Follow the product’s storage instructions and ask a pharmacist what to do if a medication has been left in a hot vehicle.

Medicines that a child may need during a trip are generally better carried by the parent and removed from the vehicle afterward.

3. A Phone Charger and Portable Power Bank

A phone can be essential during a breakdown or emergency, but it is useful only while it has power.

Keep a charging cable that works with the family’s phones inside the vehicle. A car adapter with more than one charging port may be helpful when several devices are used.

A charged portable power bank provides a backup when:

• The vehicle battery is dead.

• The charging port is not working.

• The family needs to leave the vehicle.

• A storm or local emergency disrupts electricity.

NHTSA places a cell phone and charger near the top of its recommended roadside emergency supplies, while Ready.gov also recommends having alternative methods for charging phones during emergencies.

Recharge the power bank regularly rather than assuming it still has power months after it was placed in the glove compartment.

4. A Flashlight or Headlamp

A flashlight can help a parent inspect a tire, locate a dropped item, read instructions or signal for help after dark.

A headlamp is particularly useful because it leaves both hands free while the parent assists a child or looks under the hood.

Keep the light with:

• A fresh set of batteries

• Spare batteries in their original packaging

• A backup light stick, when available

The Red Cross and NHTSA both include flashlights among their recommended vehicle emergency supplies.

Test the flashlight periodically. Batteries can lose power or leak during long periods of storage, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures.

5. Reflective Warning Equipment

When a car stops beside a road, other drivers need enough time to see it and move away safely.

Useful visibility items include:

• Reflective warning triangles

• Roadside flares approved for vehicle use

• A reflective safety vest

• A bright white cloth or flag

• A flashing emergency beacon

NHTSA recommends carrying warning devices such as flares and a white flag as part of a roadside kit.

Parents should learn how to use these items before an emergency occurs. Do not stand in an active traffic lane to position a warning device, and do not attempt a roadside repair when the location is unsafe.

When possible, move the vehicle completely away from traffic, turn on the hazard lights and keep children securely inside the vehicle while calling for assistance.

6. Jumper Cables or a Portable Jump Starter

A dead battery can turn a normal school morning or grocery trip into a long delay.

Traditional jumper cables are inexpensive and useful when another vehicle is available. A portable battery jump starter may allow a driver to restart the vehicle without relying on a stranger.

NHTSA and the Red Cross both recommend including jumper cables or a portable jump-starting device in a car emergency kit.

Parents should:

• Buy cables long enough to reach another vehicle safely.

• Read the vehicle owner’s manual before connecting anything.

• Learn the correct connection order.

• Keep the clamps clean and dry.

• Recharge a portable jump starter according to its instructions.

Incorrect connections can damage a vehicle or cause injury. Someone who is not confident using the equipment should contact roadside assistance rather than experimenting beside the road.

7. Tire and Basic Roadside Tools

A spare tire is not very helpful without the equipment needed to install it.

Check whether the vehicle includes:

• A properly inflated spare tire

• A jack

• A lug wrench

• A tire pressure gauge

• A portable tire inflator

• Work gloves

• A small ground mat or kneeling pad

• Basic repair tools

Some newer vehicles have a tire repair kit instead of a traditional spare. Parents should know which system their vehicle has and how it is intended to be used.

NHTSA recommends carrying a tire pressure gauge, jack, work gloves and basic tools in a roadside emergency kit.

A temporary tire sealant may help with certain punctures, but it cannot repair every type of tire damage. Follow the tire and vehicle manufacturer’s directions, and arrange a professional inspection as soon as possible.

Never attempt to change a tire next to fast-moving traffic or on unstable ground. In an unsafe location, remain protected and call for roadside assistance.

8. Drinking Water

Traffic jams, breakdowns and unexpected delays can last much longer than planned. Keeping a small supply of drinking water in the car can help the family remain hydrated while waiting for assistance.

Both NHTSA and the Red Cross include drinking water among recommended vehicle emergency supplies.

Choose sealed containers that are easy for family members to use. Replace them regularly, especially when:

• The seal is damaged.

• The container is leaking.

• The water has passed its recommended date.

• The bottle has been exposed to dirty floodwater or chemicals.

Families taking longer journeys should bring additional fresh water when they leave rather than relying entirely on bottles that have remained in the vehicle for months.

Most importantly, water in the car is not a reason to leave a child unattended. Infants and children should never be left inside a parked vehicle, even with the windows open. A vehicle’s interior can rise almost 20°F during the first 10 minutes, and a cracked window does not make the situation safe.

9. Shelf-Stable Snacks

A child who becomes hungry during an unexpected delay may quickly become tired, upset or uncomfortable.

Keep a small supply of foods that do not require refrigeration, such as:

• Plain crackers

• Shelf-stable fruit pouches

• Dry cereal

• Granola bars

• Pretzels

• Individual packages of nuts for children old enough to eat them safely

• Other foods appropriate for the child’s age and allergies

NHTSA and the Red Cross recommend carrying nonperishable food as part of a roadside emergency kit.

Check the snacks frequently because heat, damaged packaging and long storage can affect their quality. Avoid products that melt easily or create a choking risk for young children.

Perishable foods should not be stored in a warm vehicle. When bringing foods that require refrigeration on a trip, FoodSafety.gov recommends keeping them in a cooler at 40°F or below with sufficient ice or freezer packs.

Parents should also supervise young children while they eat. Eating inside a moving vehicle can increase choking concerns because an adult may not be able to respond immediately.

10. Blankets and Seasonal Protection

A lightweight emergency blanket occupies very little space but can be valuable during cold weather, a nighttime breakdown or an unexpected wait.

Depending on the local climate, a seasonal bag may also contain:

• Regular fleece blankets

• Rain ponchos

• Warm hats and gloves

• Hand warmers

• An ice scraper

• Sunscreen carried for the trip rather than permanently stored

• Insect repellent carried as needed

• A sunshade

• Cooling towels

NHTSA recommends carrying blankets during winter travel, along with tools such as an ice scraper and snow shovel in areas where severe winter weather is common.

Parents should update the bag as seasons change. A blanket prepared for January may not address the family’s needs during extreme summer heat.

Never depend on the emergency supplies to make it acceptable to leave a child alone inside the vehicle.

11. Spare Clothing and Cleanup Supplies

Children do not need a major emergency to benefit from a prepared car.

A spilled drink, muddy playground, bathroom accident or episode of motion sickness can make the rest of a trip difficult without clean clothing.

A simple child-care bag may contain:

• One complete change of clothes for each young child

• Extra underwear and socks

• Diapers or training pants

• Baby wipes

• Paper towels

• Tissues

• Disposable bags

• A washable towel

• Hand sanitizer

• A sealable wet bag for dirty clothing

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bringing spare clothing, plastic bags, wipes and towels for children who are prone to carsickness.

Clothing sizes change quickly, so check the bag every few months. A spare outfit is not helpful when it is two sizes too small or unsuitable for the current weather.

Keep cleaning products and hand sanitizer closed and out of a young child’s reach.

12. Emergency Information and Child-Specific Supplies

Phones can be lost, damaged or left without power. A written information card provides a simple backup.

Place a card in the glove compartment containing:

• Parent or guardian names

• Emergency contact numbers

• The child’s important allergies

• Essential medical information

• The child’s healthcare provider

• Roadside assistance details

• The vehicle insurance contact number

Ready.gov encourages families to keep emergency contact cards in wallets and backpacks and recommends including an out-of-state contact who may be easier to reach during a local emergency.

A paper map can also help when a phone has no signal or power. NHTSA includes maps among its recommended roadside supplies.

Add any supplies that are specific to the child, such as:

• Feeding supplies

• An age-appropriate comfort item

• Hearing-device batteries stored according to instructions

• Sensory supports

• Emergency care instructions

• Supplies required for a known medical condition

Do not leave sensitive original documents, visible personal information or temperature-sensitive medical equipment unattended in the vehicle. Follow the manufacturer’s storage requirements for all medicines and medical devices.

Where Should Everything Be Stored?

An emergency kit should be easy for an adult to reach without filling the passenger area with loose objects.

Use a secured container, cargo organizer or closed compartment. Heavier tools and roadside equipment are generally better stored low in the trunk or cargo area.

NHTSA advises drivers to secure cargo so it cannot shift or escape from the vehicle during sudden braking, a collision or travel over rough roads.

Avoid placing heavy tools, flashlights, metal water bottles or other hard objects loosely beside a child’s car seat.

It can help to divide the supplies into three smaller kits:

Front-seat kit

• Phone charger

• Emergency contact card

• Flashlight

• Tissues

Child-care kit

• Clothes

• Diapers

• Wipes

• Cleanup bags

• Snacks

Trunk emergency kit

• First aid supplies

• Warning triangles

• Jumper cables

• Tire tools

• Blankets

• Water

Check the Kit Regularly

A car kit should not be packed once and forgotten for several years.

At the beginning of each season, take a few minutes to check:

• Food and water dates

• Clothing sizes

• Flashlight batteries

• Power bank charge

• First aid supplies

• Spare tire pressure

• Child restraint limits

• Seasonal clothing

• Emergency contact information

Remove anything that has leaked, expired, become damaged or is no longer appropriate for the child.

Preparation Is About Making Hard Moments Easier

Most days, parents will not need the jumper cables, warning triangles or emergency blanket.

They may use the wipes, spare shirt and snacks every week.

Both types of supplies matter.

The purpose of a family car kit is not to prepare for every imaginable event. It is to cover the situations that are common, uncomfortable or potentially dangerous without filling the vehicle with unnecessary clutter.

A well-organized kit can turn a roadside problem into a manageable delay—and help a parent focus on the most important task in that moment:

Keeping the children calm, comfortable and safe.