Here are a few ideas for car emergencies:
You may be able to find a folding shovel–for digging out of a snow bank, or mud (even a small hand shovel will be better than your frozen fingers). Don’t forget batteries for flashlight/tire inflater. I used a rectangular bucket for items like WD-40, aerosol can of tire inflater, bungees, cords, headlight bulbs and such, labeled “tools” in the back end of my minivan. Commercial car kits are usually pretty space efficient, though sometimes hard to re-assemble, after you have to use the jumper cables–don’t even try, just keep them on the side. I don’t carry gas in the gas can, because you can’t keep it, and you can’t take it with you on ferries. But I’ve got something to put gas in, if I have to have someone walk a mile or twain for me (I don’t travel alone anymore, because if something happened I couldn’t get out of the car, due to my disability …). Rolled up tightly/tidily in my glove compartment is a plastic to spread on the seat for messy items (even wet pants or swimwear), or to use for emergency “ground work” (tire change, etc.).
Various shovels and tools to have in the shed
or whatever for “72 hour” emergencies, or just various disasters that occur around the yard. Most homeowners probably have these . . . more difficult for apartment and condo dwellers. Things come up, or down, and it’s helpful not to have to ask a neighbor for a pair of heavy duty scissors, pliers, hammer, screwdrivers, cord, pruners, rake, shovel, water turn-off tool, duct tape . . . and maybe it’s not a situation you can ask a neighbor . . . or the neighbor is asking you! Tarp not shown, but good to have.
Tools around the house
. . . I can’t tell how many times a furniture dolly has been a huge help. Various wall patching, paint touch ups, wood and ceramic gluing . . . tape measure (I also found keeping a small one in my purse has come in handy quite often . . . you can use a smaller, lighter weight one, if your all-purpose purse is getting too heavy duty) … and it’s helpful to have a drill/power screwdriver set for when helpers come to help, even if they bring their own tools, it’s easy to forget this or that … I also keep leftover nails and screws for whatever might come up, and does . . . And experienced wives will tell you, ladies, keep your own set of tools, no matter how many your husband has! (And you may have to hide them).
If a disaster occurs
that you need to cook out of doors (stove goes out, power outage…), BBQ tools–including tongs and hot pads–will be indispensable (assuming you have or can adapt means to cook outdoors)–don’t forget matches, lighter fluid or fire starter if you need (must I add fuel?). Have some lightweight multi-purpose tools in your Grab n Go kit . . . pens don’t always work, so have pencil and a means of sharpening (you can use a pocket knife). In so many shows, clever characters use nail clippers and files for various functions, but even nail damage is most likely to occur in an emergency situation.
Emergency Prep--some ideas and options 