The glove box of your car is probably a mass dumping ground for a variety of odds and ends. From napkins from past drive-thru visits — to junk and rubbish you hid the last time you gave your mom a lift. Who knows, you might still have a Britney Spears CD hiding in there somewhere…
Even though your glove box may seem like the perfect storage compartment for all your junk, there are a few essential you should keep in there in case of an actual emergency (not just the forced quick tidy up due to an unplanned car share!).
Below are the five must-haves:
Sunglasses
It is always a good idea to keep an extra pair of sunglasses in your glove box. The glare from the sun, especially after a rainy spell, can make it tricky to see and increases the risk of you having a crash. Having a pair of sunglasses in easy reach, keeps you prepared for sporadic weather conditions.
Plus, they’re good for your eyes!
Rechargeable Torch
Rechargeable torches should be an essential part of any gal’s glove box. If you have a car related emergency in the middle of the night, then the last thing you want is to be left in the dark while you await recovery.
You can use your torch to attract attention and to shed light on the problem if you are going to fix it yourself.
Gloves
You should always keep a pair of gloves handy in your glove box. Well, the name gives it away a bit doesn’t it?! Having a set of gloves in your car at all times is a fab idea as they will protect your hands should you need to change a tire or check oil levels. No one wants to arrive at their destination looking and smelling like a grease monkey!
In case of a breakdown that has left you stranded, they also offer you an extra layer of warmth if it is late at night or your car has chosen the coldest day of the year to let you down.
Spare Bulbs
It is illegal to drive around with a brake light out, and nobody wants to be pulled over by the cops and handed a ticket for something so small and simple. To prevent an unexpected ticket, simply keep a spare bulb in your glove box. Tail lights are usually pretty easy to change, and having them in stock could save you a ticket in the future.
Old Phone
Another essential item you should have handy in your glove box is an old mobile phone. Let’s face it, we all have one lying around somewhere and it’s probably an old Nokia as those bad boys were literally invincible. While your modern smartphone may be the latest gadget, the batteries on them don’t last all that long and you don’t want to find yourself stranded somewhere and not be able to call for help.
If you don’t want to pay to have an extra phone handy, consider purchasing a solar powered iPhone charger.
Theses five things may not be big or especially gadget-y, but they can sure save your bacon in an emergency! So make room for these glove box essentials in between the sweet wrappers and discarded flyers and make sure you’re covered for all types of situations.
*This article was contributed.
