Whether your vehicle is petrol-driven, hybrid or an EV, make space in it for these items, as they will keep you safe and comfortable in myriad situations.
While owning a car offers convenience, all drivers need to be prepared for the unexpected, ranging from mild medical emergencies to the battery flatlining and tyre getting deflated. In addition, you can also want to include items that can help you stay comfortable in various weather patterns and climactic conditions.
By having the right items at hand, you will have easy access to important tools that will help you significantly during an emergency. Here are 10 items that we highly recommend you keep in the car:
THE MUST-HAVES
1 First aid kit
The American Red Cross advises that a first aid kit needs to contain the following items:
You can purchase the items individually and pack them in a bag or container.
For your convenience, there are pre-packed first aid kits for sale. If you prefer to purchase from brick-and-mortar shops, you can visit First Aid Supplies, located on North Bridge Road (https://www.firstaid.com.sg/). If you’re an avid online shopper, you can always try Shopee or Lazada.
After you have packed your own or purchased a pre-packed first aid kit, regularly inspect the individual items as they would have different expiry and best-before dates; do replace past-due items as and when you find them.
2 Tyre jack and spare tyre / Tyre repair kit and inflator
Most guidebooks would advise you to keep a tyre jack and spare tyre in the boot, in case one of your tyres goes flat. But if you’re not a DIY type of person, you’re never going to change a tyre on your own — admit it!
In this case, having a tyre repair kit or a portable tyre inflator in the boot would be a better fit for you. They can temporarily fix the issue, usually with a patching tool and sealant, and that should be enough to last you the drive to a repair shop.
3 Warning triangle
It’s important that other road users know that your car is disabled on the side of the road. This is especially so in poor visibility (eg at night, in rainy or misty weather). A reflective warning triangle should do the trick — the Traffic Police says to place it at least 20m behind your vehicle.
4 Fire extinguisher
Choose a fire extinguisher that’s designed for automotive use — it’s built to withstand vibrations, and is more effective at dousing car-specific fires, be they caused by traffic accidents or mechanical failures. Use a mounting bracket to secure it in the vehicle, but ensure that the position is accessible and won’t pose a hazard during sudden stops. Check out these two suppliers:
5 Mobile phone, charging cable and adapter, and power bank
Because of the risk of them overheating and catching fire or exploding in Singapore’s heat, we are advocating that you bring these items when you drive, and remove them when you’ve parked. The phone can easily put you in touch with services should your car break down. It can also double up as a torch. Should both your phone battery and the car battery go flat, you can revive your phone using the power bank. Of course, do remember to recharge the power bank once in a while, since its power will drain over time even when not used.
6 Jumper Cable / Starter
If you go on holiday and don’t trust anyone to start your car back home regularly, your car battery is going to lose its charge. A jumper cable can help, but requires a second vehicle whose battery is working. What’s better is a jump starter, which comes with a built-in battery and thus doesn’t need the support of another vehicle — most useful if your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere with very little vehicular traffic.
For all AA Members, get our Hummer H3 Multifunctional Jump Starter 6000MAH (22.2WH). With a battery standby time of up to 6 months and a battery life cycle of over 1000 charges, you will never catch yourself stuck in such a pickle!
https://aas.com.sg/product/hummer-h3-multifunctional-power-bank/
7 Portable EV charger, EV charging cable, and EV charger extension cord
If you’re driving an EV, you can skip No. 6 and pack these items instead. A portable EV charger — which comes in a range of charging speeds and voltage levels — allows you to charge your car wherever there is an electrical outlet. Some chargers even come with intelligent features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to monitor and manage the charging process from your phone. A charging cable is for when you come across a charging station. Use it to connect your car’s charging port to the socket or wall box. However, if your parking spot is a little too far for the length of the charging cable, that’s when the extension cord proves its worth.
Being a prepared driver means thinking beyond just filling your tank or charging your EV. You never know when a simple item can make a big difference. By keeping these essentials in your car, you’re not only ready for emergencies, you’re also making every journey safer, smoother, and more comfortable. Speaking of emergencies, it’s also a good idea to keep a list of essential contact numbers on hand, especially when driving overseas.
THE GOOD-TO-HAVES
1 Torch
For situations that occur at night or in poorly lit areas, such as tunnels, you will be glad you have a torch within reach. Make sure to regularly check that the batteries are still juiced up, and keep spare batteries with the torch.
The torch ought to be waterproof, considering how heavy and often it rains in Singapore. It is also be a good idea to have a separate headlamp so that you can free your hands — useful if you’re a DIY kind of person. If you’re not good at remembering to check and replace batteries, consider a wind-up torch.
2 Umbrella and blanket
An umbrella is a godsend in our climate, which is often hot and sunny, and turns wet and windy on a dime. Make it an inverted umbrella, and it will significantly reduce your chances of getting wet in a storm! If you like driving up north to take breaks in chilly hillside resorts, or if you’re renting a car in a winter holiday destination, pack a blanket to keep warm in case you have to wait for emergency services to arrive. Compact or vacuum-sealed options are ideal for storage. A blanket can also be used as a sunshade.
3 Water and non-perishable food
This doesn’t really apply in Singapore, since food and water are easily accessible here. But since we’re a tropical island, it’s a good idea to keep some bottles of drinking water in the car to stay hydrated. But do not store flimsy plastic water bottles — that’s a health hazard in our weather due to the risk of nasty chemicals leaching from the plastic container into the water — and consider metal containers instead.
But if you’re on a driving holiday in some remote location, it’s best to pack food and water in case you’re stranded for an extended period. Store at least one gallon of water per person — that should last 24 hours. As for munchies, non-perishable, high-energy snacks like granola bars, trail mix, and canned goods are good options.
Final Thoughts
Being prepared for emergencies isn’t just for long road trips — it’s something every driver should think about. Having a few key items in your car can make a big difference when things go wrong, from a flat tyre to a sudden downpour or power failure. Check that your kit is complete and in working order, and enjoy peace of mind on every journey.
