A flat tire, a car crash, a dead battery, a skid ending in a snowbank – these are the sort of occurrences which make you wish you had an emergency kit on board. An ordinary trip can turn into a nightmare if you find yourself stranded with a disabled vehicle. Check your vehicle today to make sure you are prepared to handle common roadside emergencies.

Your vehicle should have this equipment:

Owner’s manual.

A working flashlight or trouble light.

A spare tire in good shape, a tire jack and lug nut wrench.

A tire pump or an inflatable sealing kit.

A tire gauge.

Tire chains.

Emergency triangles or flares to warn other drivers of a breakdown or accident.

Jumper cables and safety goggles.

A dry chemical or multi-purpose fire extinguisher.

A variety of screwdrivers including a large one with a flat blade.

Pliers and wrenches.

Spare fuses.

Spare fan belt.

Spare headlight.

Extra oil.

Radiator coolant.

Duct tape.

A first aid kit.

A shovel.

Sand or salt in winter.

A bucket or other container for water.

Warm clothing, boots and gloves.

Matches or a lighter, and a candle.

Spare keys.

Cellular phone, citizen’s band radio or at least coins for a pay phone.

Check this emergency equipment periodically to make sure the spare is still inflated, the trouble light or flashlight still works, and tools and equipment haven’t been borrowed for other purposes.

Inspect your vehicle before every trip to determine if the tires are in good condition and properly inflated. Also check lights including brake lights and turn signals. Make sure you have enough fuel and check levels of oil, coolant, transmission fluid and windshield cleaner. If you don’t know how to do this, have your mechanic perform these checks.

Before you leave is the time to equip your vehicle for an emergency and check its condition to prevent a breakdown. If you don’t check your vehicle, you may find yourself wishing you had.