Torque Shop: Prepping for roadside emergencies

What should I have in the car in case of an emergency?

A car emergency kit should include first-aid supplies, roadside assistance equipment and basic medication.

While it may not seem so critical in Singapore when help is probably just a phone call away, being prepared to handle basic repairs can mean not having to spend on a tow truck or recovery vehicle.

Of course, the kit becomes even more essential if you are embarking on a longer drive across the border.

The basic first aid kit should have items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze and scissors. Adhesives deteriorate with age, so remember to check periodically and replace damaged ones.

Putting up a reflective warning triangle near the car is important to make it visible to other road users – after making sure that the car is stopped in a safe position. Just as useful is a sufficiently powerful torch with an extra set of batteries.

Do not assume that the spare tyre and tools like the jack and wrench are in working order. The spare tyre should be checked every six months to ensure that it is properly inflated.

A fire extinguisher can be effective to tackle minor fires. If the fire involves the electric vehicle’s battery, the Singapore Civil Defence Force has said that drivers should not try to put out such fires themselves.

Also, if the blaze is threatening to envelop the vehicle, the advice is to keep a distance of at least 15m away from the fire and call 995 for help.

A set of jumper cables is useful if the car’s 12-volt battery goes flat. The process to jump-start a vehicle is not very complex, but it pays to have a read of the owner’s manual to know the steps.

Importantly, save the contact information of emergency roadside services in your mobile phone, and possibly a contact from the motor insurance provider.