Car emergency kit

[pontipinemum]

I have just got a new car and haven't had one for a while so I am trying to think what I need in a little box in the boot. So far I am thinking

2 lt water
De-icer
Blanket
Cereal bars, nutri-grain maybe?
Small 1st aid kit
High viz - this is in the back seat pocket
Little pot of change in the centre arm rest for parking

I don't tend to drive too far from home or on the motorway but my mums house is about 3 hours away and one winter she was stuck on the motorway for 5 hours in the snow because of a crash. I have a 1.5yr old DS so want to have at least enough to keep up safe.

I wanted to pick up one of those glass hammers in Homebase yesterday but DH reminded me I used to have one and never used to, but IMO that's not the point

Anything else you would add?

The main thing is to always take a coat in cooler weather even if going a short distance, if you break down it could make a big difference. Otherwise I don't carry anything routinely, Britain isn't that remote, you really can walk somewhere if needed in your coat of course

Things I have used from my car emergency kit:

Triangle
Hi-vis jacket
Collapsable snow shovel

Things I have wished my car emergency kit contained:

A giant warm coat, hat and gloves

You can be stood on the hard shoulder a long time and it is invariably cold, wet and windy on the day you do break down.

We've got a couple of fleece blankts, DD's old potty, warning triangle, first aid kit and a couple of Hi Viz vests in a bag in the boot. There's an emergency £20 in the first aid kit too. I usually have a packed up overnight bag in the boot, just in case of unexpected sleep overs.

We also keep a couple of phone chargers, power banks, snacks, bottles of water in the arm rest, and an amenity kit in the glove box (spare contacts, lip balm, pain killers etc.)

Always have Tissues in the side pockets, ice scrapers, umbrellas.and a roll of bin liners, a notebook and a pen somewhere in the car.

Thank you all, some fantastic ideas on here!!

I won't go over board just a little box in the boot + spare blanket on the back seat.

We live very rurally but 90% of my driving DH could be with us within 30 mins. He has all the stuff you could possibly want for getting a car going again. I just wouldn't like to get stuck in snow on a motorway for 5 hours with a small child and not even be a little bit prepared.

@AnnaMagnani being farmers I have kept many old coats for 'farm use' I think I will throw one into the boot for the rest of winter. We also have 100s of wolly hats

First aid kit
Warning beacon
Couple of foil blankets
High-viz jackets/bibs
Foot pump for your tyres, preferably twin cylinder as you'll get more air in per stroke (electric ones need power and that's no good if the battery is dead)
Jumpstarter and jump leads (remember + on + terminal of battery and - on metal chassis for ground)
Warning triangle
Tyre tread checker (legal minimum limit is 1.6mm, which I personally feel is far too low)

Your new car very likely doesn't come with a spare tyre, so you probably aren't going to have a space saver in the boot.

Make sure warning beacon, the foot pump and jumpstarter are regularly checked. I also have a master gauge for the foot pump as the in-built gauges on the foot pumps are not accurate.

You can never be too prepared. Drive safe and I wish you no breakdowns.

Damn it...I forgot tow rope. Make sure you have a tow rope.

I heard you should have a tea light candle and match! Something to do with keeping you warm but this is from years ago so not sure if it’s a ‘thing’ still or not!

I wouldn't be preparing to spend hours in the car with a DC that young. If you break down and you can't keep him warm, call your DH and failing that, the emergency services, since it would be a life threatening emergency. Particularly if you are on the hard shoulder.

I've got a coat stuffed inside one of those reusable vegetable bags you get in the supermarket under the seat.

I have a seatbelt cutter/glass breaker/charger unit in arms reach.

Other things to add to others lists:

Reusable hand warmers.
Blankets foil and wool.
Hats gloves scarves winter coat for you all.
Water/drinks
Potty baby wipes and hand gel.
snacks for adults and children.
Pot of cheap salt.
Deicer and scraper/squeegy.
Dry warm socks
Boots/waterproof footwear.

Toy for kid.
Torch/solar lantern/headlamp.
Pen and paper.
Power bank. And wires. Check regularly.
Carrier bags for rubbish/sitting on at the side of the road .