Car emergency kit

Stay safe, warm and visible if you break down or get stuck on the road, with what you need to get moving again.

Why this kit

Breakdowns, snow and closed roads can leave you waiting in the car for hours, often in the cold and dark. This kit keeps you warm, fed and visible, with ways to charge a phone and get a flat battery going.

Keep it in the boot all year, check it before winter, and add warm clothes and a full bottle of water before a long journey.

Kit contents

What is in this kit

19 items

Quantities are for 2 adults for 3 days, with 3 litres of drinking water per person a day (GOV.UK guidance). Some items are one per household; others grow with the number of people and days.

Adjust for your household

Amazon links for this kit are coming soon. You can still use the list to check what you already have.

Energizer Vision HD+ head torch

Keeps both hands free on the stairs, in the loft or outdoors after dark.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Amazon Basics AA batteries, pack of 12

Long shelf life batteries for torches, radios and smoke alarms.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Amazon Basics AAA batteries, pack of 12

Spares for head torches and smaller devices.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Anker power bank, 10,000 mAh

Charges a phone two or three times. Keep it topped up.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
UGREEN USB-C charging cable, 1 m Optional

A spare cable that stays with the kit.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Portwest hi-vis vest

Makes you visible at the roadside or in the dark.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Bedsure sherpa fleece blanket, 150 x 200 cm

Warmth if the heating is off.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Reusable waterproof poncho Optional

Stay dry if you need to go out or leave.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
HotHands hand warmers, 5 pairs Optional

Instant warmth with no power needed.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Lifesystems Trek first aid kit

A compact kit for a grab bag or car.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Still bottled water, 6 x 2 L

Sized at 3 litres per person per day. Buy sealed bottled water locally.

18 L in total: 3 L a day for 2 people for 3 days. 2 packs of 12 L.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Heinz baked beans, 6 x 415 g

A cupboard staple that can be eaten cold if needed.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Xiaomi portable tyre inflator Optional

Pumps up a soft tyre from its own battery.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
NOCO Boost GB40 jump starter Optional

Starts a flat car battery without another car.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Sea to Summit dry bag, 20 L

Keeps medicines, chargers and spare clothes dry.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Extendable ice scraper and snow brush Optional

Clears snow and ice from the car.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Anker car charger, USB-C and USB-A Optional

Charges phones from the car's 12 V socket.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Philip’s easy to read road atlas of Britain Optional

A clear road atlas to keep in the car.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Maypole heavy-duty jump leads, 3.5 m Optional

Jump start a flat battery from another vehicle.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1