Items To Keep In Your Car’s Glove Compartment
Posted on March 12, 2021
While the trunk of your minivan or the cargo area of your trusty pickup truck may be preferred locations for storing and hauling essential goods, your car’s glove compartment is just as important. Perhaps you leave the glove box empty, or only use it to store your designer sunglasses in case you hit some UV rays while cruising the roads, but here at CarHub, we are firm believers in the practicality of this space. From keeping track of important documents to safeguarding emergency items, the glove box is an underrated blessing when it comes to storage space in your ride. Before you speed off in your latest set of wheels from CarHub, we have curated a must-know list of items to keep in your car's glove compartment.
1. First Aid Kit:
From unexpected cuts, scrapes or injuries on the road, a First Aid Kit is imperative to keep in the car. Storing it in the handy glove compartment makes it more convenient than storing it in your trunk. If you are traveling with kids or embarking on a longer road trip, a First Aid kit stocked with bandages, gauze pads and alcohol wipes is an absolute must.
2. Insurance documents:
While we all hope for a safe and enjoyable journey when we hit the roads, accidents can unfortunately happen when they are least expected. As it’s always best to be prepared for worst case scenarios, remember to keep your insurance documents safe in your glove compartment, just in case.
3. Flashlight:
Sure, you may be driving up north to the cottage (with no plans to tell scary ghost stories under a flashlight on the drive there!), but did you know that handheld illuminant could easily be a godsend in case of an emergency? More than just a camping or cottage weekend staple, a convenient flashlight can really be a smart save should disaster strike en route. If you and your loved ones find yourselves trapped in a dark vehicle at night, a flashlight will help you find your way out and search for assistance, and won’t use up the battery on your phone.
4. Non-perishable snacks:
If you’re venturing out of town or have small children, keeping snacks in the car such as granola bars, energy bars and dried fruits is a smart move in case of an emergency. These energy-rich, non-perishable and filling food items will ensure you stay nourished, if need be.
5. Car manual:
Should you experience car issues in the middle of nowhere and miles away from assistance, a car manual just might come in useful. Always ensure you have a copy of this, as it contains important information about the engine, battery and other important details of your vehicle. However, as a safety tip, you may want to consider removing the replacement code for your key from your car manual. There has been a scam in the past where thieves would break into cars, steal this manual and take the replacement code from the manual. After the car's owner had the vehicle repaired, the thieves would return to drive off with a newly repaired car, thanks to the new keys!
6. Phone charger:
With a dead phone battery, you’ll likely be unable to contact friends, family or 911 if an emergency situation arises. While we certainly don’t recommend leaving batteries, laptops, smartphones and tablets in your car for extended periods of time, an emergency phone charger is a good idea. Consider a wireless car charger as an option.
7. Hand sanitizer:
With the COVID-19 pandemic having changed the world over the past year, hand sanitizer has become the norm before entering any public place or workplace. While you may only share your vehicle with those close to you, it’s still important to stock some sanitizer in your glove compartment. Long stretches of time on the roads, having to possibly eat meals and snacks while parked and of course touching your steering wheel after exiting from public washrooms make a portable bottle of hand gel a major priority!
8. Notepad and pens:
It could be jotting down an important phone number after your phone dies, noting directions to a rest stop or having to exchange insurance details with another motorist. Whatever the situation is, a pen and paper are an old-fashioned way to keep track of important info when technology fails us. Every glove compartment should have a small notebook or notepad, along with a couple of pens (preferably not those inky fountain pens that leak everywhere if left uncapped, though). Just make sure you’re not writing while driving!