Car Safety Accessories: What to Carry and What to Avoid

⫸ Free YouTube Subscription

⫸ Start the Free Defensive Driving Course

Car safety accessories can make a big difference in an emergency or a moment of distraction. From the sunglasses you wear to the shoes on your feet, every accessory either supports safe driving or creates avoidable risk. The right gear adds comfort and convenience, and it helps you stay alert, organized, and ready for the unexpected.

Which car accessories are essential, and which should you rank first? Do sunglasses really improve road visibility? Which shoes are unsafe for driving? How do loose items and floor mats become dangerous in a sudden stop? Which tools should always be in your car? How does the gear you carry change how well you respond to an emergency? Read on for direct answers to each.

This page offers a practical car emergency kit checklist and clear guidance on what to keep in your vehicle, what to avoid and how to use each item, from a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and jumper cables to a tow rope, phone mount, child car seat and the shoes and sunglasses you wear. It explains how to buy each item, how to jump-start a car or tow one safely, and how to keep the cabin free of hazards, so you are prepared whether you are packing for a road trip or organizing your daily commute.

Key Takeaways

• Carry an ABC fire extinguisher within reach, a stocked first aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables and a warning triangle

• Connect the last black jumper clamp to unpainted metal, never to the dead battery's negative terminal

• Check your owner's manual before towing with a rope, and flag the rope with a cloth at least 12 inches square

• Wear secure, flat-soled shoes and keep sunglasses within reach

• Secure loose items and check that the driver's floor mat is clipped in

• Have every child seat checked by a certified technician

? FAQ:

• ⬇️ What Are the Most Important Car Safety Accessories?

• ⮟ Car Fire Extinguisher: What to Buy and How to Use It

• ⮟ What Should a Car First Aid Kit Contain?

• ⮟ What Kind of Flashlight Should You Keep in Your Car?

• ⮟ How Do You Jump-Start a Car With Jumper Cables?

• ⮟ How Do You Tow a Car With a Rope Safely?

• ⮟ What Should Be in a Basic Car Toolkit?

• ⮟ What Are Locking Wheel Nuts and How Do You Use Them?

• ⮟ Do Sunglasses Make Driving Safer?

• ⮟ What Shoes Are Unsafe for Driving?

• ⮟ How Should You Mount a Phone in Your Car?

• ⮟ What Should You Look for in a Car Phone Charger?

• ⮟ Which Car Accessories Help Prevent Crashes?

• ⮟ How Do Loose Items and Floor Mats Increase Crash Risk?

• ⮟ Which Water Bottles Are Safe to Keep in a Car?

• ⮟ Which Cloths Should You Keep in Your Car?

• ⮟ Why Use a Windshield Sun Shield?Why Use a Windshield Sun Shield?

• ⮟ What Clothing Should You Keep in Your Car?

• ⮟ How Do You Install and Check a Child Car Seat?

• ⮟ How Do Car Accessories Connect to Defensive Driving?

⧋

What Are the Most Important Car Safety Accessories?

The most important car safety accessories are an ABC fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables or a portable jump starter, a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest.

Together they cover the most common roadside emergencies: a fire, an injury, darkness, a dead battery and being struck by traffic while you are stopped. Everything else on this page builds on them. For a government checklist of vehicle emergency supplies, see Ready.gov's guidance for your car.

⧋

Car Fire Extinguisher: What to Buy and How to Use It

A car fire extinguisher lets you stop a small engine or interior fire before it spreads. Choose a multipurpose ABC extinguisher made for vehicles, mount it where you can reach it from the driver's seat — not loose in the trunk, where a collision can make it inaccessible — and learn the PASS method before you ever need it. U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 171,500 highway vehicle fires a year, and an NFPA analysis of vehicle fires found that about one-third of non-fatal injuries happened when civilians tried to fight the fire themselves. So use the extinguisher on a small fire only.

• Buy an extinguisher designed for use in vehicles and check the label for its **storage-temperature range** — a parked car can get far hotter than the outside air. Follow the maker's mounting instructions.

• Secure it in a bracket so that it is not loose and moving around the cabin.

Size

• 1 kg (2.2 pounds) — smaller vehicle.

• 2 kg (4.4 pounds) — larger vehicle, SUV or truck.

Class of fire

• A — Combustible and flammable materials. E.g., plastics, wood, paper.

• B — Flammable liquid or gas. E.g., petroleum, oil, gasoline.

• C — Electrical. E.g., faulty wiring.

• D — Combustible metal. E.g., potassium or magnesium.

Which type to buy

• ABC (multipurpose) — covers the three fires most likely to happen in a car: materials, fuel and electrical.

How to use it: PASS

• Pull the pin.

• Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, not the top.

• Squeeze the handle.

• Sweep from side to side until the fire is out.

If the fire is large, spreading, or reaches the fuel tank, do not fight it: get everyone out, move well away from the vehicle and call 911.

Ease of use

• Make sure it has a simple mechanism to operate.

• Make sure you know how to operate the extinguisher BEFORE you need to use it.

• Check the pressure gauge before long trips; the needle should be in the green.

⧋

What Should a Car First Aid Kit Contain?

A car first aid kit should hold enough to treat cuts, burns and minor injuries until help arrives, and it should be checked at least twice a year so that nothing has expired. Keep it within reach, not at the bottom of the trunk. Ready.gov's vehicle emergency guidance is a good companion checklist.

Contents

• Packs of sterile gauze pads

• Adhesive, hypoallergenic tape

• Adhesive bandages in several sizes

• Triangular bandages

• Roller gauze bandages, one large and one small

• Large and small sterile dressings

• Sterile eye dressings

• Eye pads with bandages

• Pack of sterile cotton swabs

• Antiseptic wipes

• Antibiotic ointment

• Oral rehydration packets

• Any extra prescription medication (if you are going away on holiday)

• Tweezers

• Sharp scissors

• Safety pins

• Washcloth

• Thermometer

• Gloves

• Flashlight and spare batteries

• A printed list of emergency contact numbers, e.g., ambulance, family doctor, pediatrician

⧋

What Kind of Flashlight Should You Keep in Your Car?

A flashlight lets you see at a night breakdown, inspect the vehicle and be seen by other road users. Keep it within reach of the driver's seat, not buried under luggage, and check the batteries every few months.

• Can be used to alert other road users.

Rechargeable

• From the car battery

• Mains

• Solar cell

Brightness

• 1,000 lumens or more

• Strong enough to alert a distant road user

Focus

• Wide beam

• Narrow beam

Run time

• More than 10 hours on low light

• LED is more efficient

Body

• Waterproof — can be used in the rain

• Rugged — able to handle tough use

• Magnetic — handy for attaching to the body of the vehicle when you need to place the light in a specific position

• Anti-slip coating — less likely to fall if your hands are oily

⧋

How Do You Jump-Start a Car With Jumper Cables?

Connect the cables in a strict order: red to the dead battery's positive terminal, red to the good battery's positive terminal, black to the good battery's negative terminal, and the last black clamp to clean, unpainted metal on the dead car — never to the dead battery's own negative terminal. AAA's jump-start guide gives the same order, and AAA warns that connecting the last clamp directly to the dead battery's negative terminal can cause a battery explosion. Check your owner's manual first: some vehicles have dedicated jump-start terminals, and hybrid and electric vehicles have their own rules.

Purchase

• Wire gauge (1–12) — the thickness of the cable:

• 1 — thickest (heavy duty).

• 12 — thinnest (light duty).

• Choose according to your needs.

• Length — not too short, otherwise it is difficult to connect between vehicles.

• Insulation — the thicker the better, as it protects you from current flow and the vehicle's paintwork. Thicker insulation also holds up better in colder climates.

• Clamps — copper or copper-plated; thick vinyl grips protect you from current.

• Alternative — a **portable jump starter** needs no second car. Keep it charged (every three months is a sensible habit) and follow the maker's instructions.

Use

Before you start, check that the dead battery is not damaged, leaking, corroded or frozen. If it is, do not jump-start it.

1. Park the working car close enough for the cables to reach, with the vehicles not touching. Switch both off and apply the handbrakes.

2. Make sure the free end of each cable is not touching anything while you work.

3. Connect one red (positive +) clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.

4. Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery.

5. Connect one black (negative −) clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery.

6. Connect the last black clamp to clean, unpainted metal on the dead car (a bolt or bracket), well away from the battery. Do NOT connect it to the negative terminal of the dead battery, which increases the risk of fire or explosion.

7. Start the working car (in park or neutral) and let it run for three to five minutes so that current can flow to the dead battery.

8. Start the dead car.

9. Disconnect in the exact reverse order: the black clamp from the unpainted metal, the black clamp from the good battery, the red clamp from the good battery, then the red clamp from the formerly dead battery. Do not let the clamps touch each other.

10. Drive the car for about 30 minutes and have the battery tested — a jump-start does not always mean a charged battery.

⧋

How Do You Tow a Car With a Rope Safely?

Tow a car with a rope only for a short distance at low speed, with a strong rope or strap attached to proper towing points, a bright flag on the rope and both drivers working from agreed signals.

Before you begin, check both owner's manuals: many automatic-transmission, all-wheel-drive and electric vehicles must not be towed with their drive wheels on the ground, and if you are in any doubt, call a tow truck.

Rules vary by state, but they commonly limit the connection to 15 feet and require a rope, chain or cable to display a flag or cloth at least 12 inches square — Minnesota is one example. Check your own state's law.

Purchase

• Strength — 2 to 2.5 times the weight you are going to pull.

• Lightweight.

• Brightly colored, to be more visible.

• Strong hooks.

• Fastens securely and does not come loose easily.

• Easy-to-attach and easy-to-remove mechanism.

Use

• Attach a bright cloth, at least 12 inches (30 cm) square, in the middle of the rope to make it more visible to other vehicles.

• The tow car must be powerful enough for the vehicle being towed.

• Attach securely to the towing hooks or chassis of each vehicle.

• DO NOT attach to the bumper or any other part that can rip loose.

• Drivers of both vehicles must be licensed.

• Best for both vehicles to have headlights and hazard lights on.

• Pre-arrange any signals between the drivers.

Towing vehicle

• Keep to a low speed.

• Always be aware of what is happening behind you.

• Accelerate slowly so that the rope does not snap tight. Gently take up the slack in the rope or strap.

• Brake slowly to give the driver behind time to respond. Brakes will be heavier for the towed vehicle because its engine will be off.

• Take corners in a wider arc than normal. See trajectory.

• Keep an eye on the temperature gauge.

Towed vehicle

• Gear in neutral.

• Handbrake off.

• Ignition in the "ON" position so that the steering does not lock.

• The steering and brakes will not be power assisted, so more force is needed.

• Keep a very close eye on the tow car and mimic every action to stay in sync.

• Reaction time is very important.

• If you see the line slacken, gently apply the brakes to take up the slack, so the rope does not snap tight and does not drag on the ground and get damaged.

• On corners, also take a wider arc than normal.

What length should a car tow rope or strap be?

The length should be at least 3.5 meters (11.4 feet) and no longer than 4.5 meters (14.7 feet). A rope that is too long invites other vehicles to try to fit in between the two cars, and it sits close to the 15-foot limit that many states set.

⧋

What Should Be in a Basic Car Toolkit?

A basic car toolkit lets you deal with small problems — a loose clamp, a flat tire, a stuck bolt — without waiting for help. Keep it compact, waterproof and, ideally, in plastic tools that will not scratch the bodywork.

• Compact.

• Waterproof.

• Plastic — prevents scratching the body when in use.

Essential tools

• Socket set.

• Wire cutters.

• Pliers.

• Adjustable wrench.

• Wrench set.

• Hex (Allen) keys.

• Screwdriver with various head attachments.

• Utility knife.

• Small hammer.

• Small hacksaw.

• Tire pressure gauge.

• Work gloves.

• Duct tape.

See how to change a flat tire safely for the jack and lug wrench steps.

⧋

What Are Locking Wheel Nuts and How Do You Use Them?

Locking wheel nuts (also called wheel locks) replace one regular lug nut on each wheel and can only be removed with a matching key, so thieves cannot take your wheels. Each nut has a unique pattern and only the key with the same pattern will turn it. The risk is the key: if it is lost or left at home, you cannot change a flat tire.

Purchase

• Get good quality. See the accompanying picture for the type.

• Chrome finish to prevent rust.

• Unique code (check for the document with the code). You will need it to order a replacement key if you lose yours.

Using

• Make sure the unique key is hidden in the vehicle, where you can reach it if you need to change a flat tire — and where a thief is unlikely to look.

• After any tire service, check that the key was returned and that the nuts were not over-tightened.

• Keep the code document at home or in your phone, not only in the car. See how to change a flat tire safely.

⧋

Do Sunglasses Make Driving Safer?

Yes — in bright conditions, good sunglasses make driving safer because they cut glare. An optometrist quoted by GEICO describes sun glare as "veiling glare" that obscures the object you are looking at; it also makes you squint and tires your eyes.

Better visibility means earlier hazard detection and a faster response. See driving into the sun and being blinded for the technique.

Purchase

• Polarized lenses — they absorb the glare reflected off the road and off other vehicles.

• A wraparound style that fits snugly, with lenses close to your eyes, so light cannot sneak in at the sides.

• Clear, undistorted lenses: hold them at arm's length and look at a straight line, such as a countertop edge. The line should not bend or wobble.

• A tint that is not so dark that it hurts your vision in tunnels, at dusk or under heavy cloud.

Use

• Keep a pair within reach, in a visor clip or the glove box, so you never search for them while driving.

• Take them off when the light changes — in a tunnel, at dusk or at night.

• Do not rely on sunglasses alone: also use the sun visor and keep the windshield clean.

⧋

What Shoes Are Unsafe for Driving?

The shoes that are unsafe for driving are flip-flops and other backless sandals, high heels, heavy boots and shoes with slippery soles, because they can slip off, catch on a pedal or reduce your feel for the pedals.

The best choice is a comfortable, secure shoe with a flat sole, such as a sneaker, which [gives even pressure on the brake and accelerator](https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/?p=201698). NHTSA attributes about 16,000 crashes a year to pedal error, where a foot slips off or presses the wrong pedal.

Keep a pair of flat, secure shoes in the car so you never have to drive in the wrong ones. See accelerator control and brake control for pedal technique.

⧋

How Should You Mount a Phone in Your Car?

Mount your phone so that you can see the screen without looking down or away from the road, and set your destination and music before you move. A secure mount keeps the phone from becoming a loose object, and it keeps your hands on the wheel.

The law is moving the same way: 49 states ban texting for all drivers, and a majority ban hand-held phone use — check your own state's rules, including any limits on windshield mounts. See also distractions and inattentive driving.

• Ensure that the mount is strong enough to attach securely to both the vehicle and the phone.

• If there is a swivel mechanism, make sure that it can be firmly secured so that the phone does not sag.

• Position it so as not to block your [vision](https://streetsurvival.info/vision/) of other traffic.

• Keep it clear of airbag covers.

• Use voice controls for calls and navigation changes while the car is moving.

⧋

What Should You Look for in a Car Phone Charger?

A charger is handy when your phone is running low, and your phone is also your link to help in a breakdown. Choose a good-quality charger and route the cable so that it cannot snag the controls or your hands.

Purchase

• Ensure it is compatible across your devices.

• USB charger:

• More than 2 amperes. Check your phone's requirements.

• Size — check that it will not block anything when plugged into the 12-volt (cigarette lighter) socket.

• Avoid very cheap chargers: they may not handle a vehicle's voltage fluctuations or heat.

• Good-quality cable, in good condition.

• Wireless:

• Qi standard.

• Ensure your phone is compatible.

Use

• Unplug when not charging. You do not want to deplete your vehicle's battery.

• Charge faster by turning off the phone.

• Keep the cable out of the way of the pedals, shifter and steering wheel.

⧋

Which Car Accessories Help Prevent Crashes?

The accessories that help prevent crashes are the ones that keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your view clear: a phone mount at eye level, a dash cam, well-adjusted mirrors with blind-spot mirrors if you need them, sunglasses that cut glare, secure shoes and a cabin free of loose items.

The phone matters most: 49 states ban texting for all drivers, and a majority ban hand-held use.

Phone mount — keeps the phone in your line of sight and out of your hand. See How Should You Mount a Phone in Your Car?

Dash cam — records evidence after an incident and encourages consistent driving behavior. See the dash cam lesson.

Mirrors — properly positioned and undamaged. Add small convex blind-spot mirrors if your side mirrors leave a gap. See mirrors and blind spots.

Backup camera — if your car has one, keep the lens clean and use it together with your mirrors and a glance over your shoulder.

Sunglasses and secure shoes — see Do Sunglasses Make Driving Safer? and What Shoes Are Unsafe for Driving?

A clear cabin — see loose items.

⧋

How Do Loose Items and Floor Mats Increase Crash Risk?

Loose items in the cabin create two separate risks. First, they become projectiles: in a sudden stop, everything that is not secured keeps moving at the speed the car was travelling. At 50 mph, a loose 16-ounce water bottle lands a blow equivalent to a 21-pound object, and ordinary loose objects are blamed for about 13,000 injuries a year.

Second, anything on the floor can roll under a pedal and stop you from braking, and a floor mat that has slid out of position can trap the pedal. NHTSA's advice is to secure the driver-side mat to its retention hooks and never overlay two mats. Securing the cabin costs nothing. See inertia, momentum and force for why.

A 30-second cabin check before you drive

• Put heavy items in the trunk, low and against the back of the rear seats; use a cargo net for loose cargo.

• Store small items in the glove box, console or door pockets — never on the dashboard or the rear parcel shelf.

• Keep bottles in cup holders, not on the floor.

• Check that the driver-side floor mat is clipped into its retention hooks and that no second mat is stacked on top.

• Re-check the mat every time the mats have been removed for cleaning.

• Remove things you do not need for the trip, such as a spare child seat or a toolbox.

⧋

Which Water Bottles Are Safe to Keep in a Car?

Keep a few bottles of water in the vehicle for a long wait at the roadside, but secure them so they cannot roll under a pedal. (see loose items.)

• Keep a few bottles of water in the vehicle.

• Make sure they are secured so that they do not roll around.

• Replace them periodically — water stored in a hot, parked car can taste stale.

• Choose bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic, as shown by the recycling symbol on the bottle; these are designed for drinking water.

⧋

Which Cloths Should You Keep in Your Car?

Cloths are not safety accessories in the strict sense, but a few of them keep your windows clear and your hands clean. See cleaning your windows for the technique.

• Rags — to absorb oil.

• Microfiber — good for general purpose use, including glass.

• Wet wipes — for hand sanitizing and cleaning.

⧋

Why Use a Windshield Sun Shield?

A sun shield is inexpensive and very valuable: it reduces harmful UV rays and keeps the vehicle cooler, which protects the dashboard and makes the first drive more comfortable. It does not make a parked car safe for a child or a pet — never leave either in a parked vehicle, even for a moment.

Purchase

• Highly reflective surface.

• Wide coverage.

• Storage:

• Easy to fold.

• Compact.

• Lightweight.

Use

• Get into the habit of quickly erecting the sun shield every time you park in the sun.

• When erecting, ensure that you cover the maximum area of the windshield.

• When storing, place it in a location that is easy to reach from the driver's seat, which makes it easier to use each time it is needed.

⧋

What Clothing Should You Keep in Your Car?

Always keep a few items of clothing in the car in case conditions change, depending on your local climate. A pair of secure, flat-soled shoes belongs on this list too — see what shoes are unsafe for driving.

• Lightweight jacket.

• Raincoat.

• Umbrella.

• Hat.

• A warm layer or blanket for cold climates.

⧋

How Do You Install and Check a Child Car Seat?

A child safety seat (a child car seat) must be installed with either the LATCH lower anchors or the vehicle seat belt — not both, unless the manuals say so — and then checked: it should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back at the belt path, the harness should lie flat with the chest clip at armpit level, and you should not be able to pinch any webbing at your child's shoulder.

Mistakes are common: NHTSA says nearly half of all car seats are misused, so have every installation checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. NHTSA's car seat guidance explains how to find an inspection station.

Purchase

• Base — secure the base to the vehicle with a clip-on seat attachment.

• A five-point safety harness.

• Quick-release buckle.

• Adjustable harness as your child grows.

• Easy to clean — a detachable, machine-washable cover.

• Safety and comfort — well padded, with good head support.

• Side-impact protection.

Use

• Choose the right seat. Select a seat appropriate for your child's age, weight and height — rear-facing, forward-facing or booster — and follow the manufacturer's guidelines and your local regulations.

• Install it correctly. Read the manufacturer's instructions and follow them precisely. Use either the seat belt or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. Both are equally safe when installed correctly, but the lower anchors have a weight limit of about 65 pounds, counting the child and the seat together; above that, install with the seat belt. Always use the top tether on a forward-facing seat.

• Position it. Keep infants and young children rear-facing for as long as the seat's height and weight limits allow, because it protects the neck and spine better in a crash. Set the recline angle the manufacturer specifies. Move to a forward-facing seat and then a booster only when your child outgrows the limits.

• Adjust the harness. The straps should lie flat and snug over the shoulders, with the chest clip at armpit level, no slack and no twists. Pinch test: if you can pinch webbing at the shoulder, tighten the harness.

• Check it regularly. Inspect the seat for damage or wear. Check the harness, buckles and adjusters. Replace the seat after a moderate or severe crash, or when it passes its expiration date.

• Avoid bulky clothing. Thick jackets compress in a crash and leave the harness too loose. Use thin layers and lay a blanket over the secured harness.

• Never leave a child alone in the car. A child old enough to reach the release can unbuckle, and a parked car can become dangerously hot within minutes.

• Set the example. Always buckle up yourself. See seat belts.

The 1-inch test and the pinch test are standard child-passenger-safety guidance — confirm against your seat's manual.

⧋

How Do Car Accessories Connect to Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving means anticipating risks and preparing responses before an emergency develops, and car accessories apply the same idea to your equipment.

A driver who carries jumper cables does not have to wait in an unsafe place for help; a driver with an extinguisher within reach can act in the first moments of a small fire; a driver with a warning triangle and a vest protects the breakdown scene from following traffic.

Preparedness removes helplessness at the moment when the right equipment, used early, decides the outcome.

• Before every long trip: check that the first aid kit is aboard, the extinguisher gauge is in the green, the cables or jump starter are charged and reachable, the flashlight works and the warning triangle is not buried under luggage. It takes about 60 seconds.

• Every day: clear the cabin of loose items, clip in the floor mat and put on secure shoes.

• See pre-drive checks and the Safety hub for the rest of the routine.

⧋

Continue the Course

Tire Safety Guide                                   Warning Triangle Placement

🡄 Previous Page                                                                   Next Page 🡆