The way we see it, there are three kinds of car kits each mom needs: one for car emergencies, one for kid emergencies and one for a mom/work emergency. Here's what each of those needs to keep you covered.
Car emergency kit
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This will probably be the heftiest kit you carry and also the one you use the least. However, it's definitely the most important. When you have a car emergency, it never feels small. Having all the right stuff with you will make the whole ordeal so much more bearable.
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Flares
- Spare tire
- Can of Fix-a-Flat: If you're losing air or forgot to keep your spare filled, this can will help you get from mile marker 203 to the mechanic or gas station.
- Jumper cables: Now all you need is a kind stranger.
- Pepper spray: In case that kind stranger has other things in mind.
- 550 Cable: This stuff can be used for anything — tying down a hood, tying off a wound, even a makeshift towing chain.
- Collapsible gas can: The last thing you'll want to do is drop another 10 bucks on the gas can.
- Water
- Small fire extinguisher
Kid emergency kit
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Think you have everything you need in that old diaper bag? Think again. First, if your kid isn't wearing diapers regularly anymore, chances are your old bag probably still has old ones in the wrong size. Second, there are more to emergencies than just diapers. What about boredom?
- Diapers/Pull-ups: Even if your kid isn't wearing diapers on a regular basis, you never know when you might hit a traffic jam just when Maddie realizes she needs to pee.
- Change of clothes: nothin' fancy, just a quick fix for juice spills before grandma's house.
- Towel and room spray: For accidents from either end.
- Hand sanitizer
- Wipes
- Coloring books and Mad Libs: the perfect boredom buster for kids of all ages.
- Cheap collapsible stroller: This doesn't need to be anything major. Just something in case you end up needing to make a long walk with a kid in tow.
Mom/work emergency kit
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Sometimes you get out the door and realize that shirt wasn't so clean after all. Sometimes you forget you have to drive across town for a meeting and didn't plan the extra gas into your budget or forgot to steal parking meter change off your husband's messy bureau. Those are work and mom emergencies and they deserve a kit of their own.
- Deodorant, small perfume, hairspray, bobby pins, tiny mouthwash and a pack of Brush 'Ems
- Medicine: for migraines, allergies and all the various tummy issues.
- Tide-On-The-Go pen
- Sweater/wrinkle-free blazer in case hiding is easier than fixing
- A pair of stockings
- Black flats
- Roll of quarters
- A $20 bill
- Granola bars: For when you skip lunch, again, this week.
- Some tampons, pads and a pair of clean panties: What's that? You're 35 and your period has never been early ever? Congratulations, lucky lady. But that luck can only last so long. Pack a few.
Feeling covered now? No matter what the emergency, we're sure these kits will cover it. It may seem like a lot, but most of these things can be condensed to fit scattered between your glove compartment box, center console, back pocket on your seats and a bin in your trunk. And, trust us, the missing space will be worth it next time there's an issue and you're able to fix it instead of panic.
More ways to be prepared
How to prepare your child for drills
Prep your home for a natural disaster
Preparing your family for a natural disaster (seriously)