Video: Driving Smart: Emergency Preparedness

According to AAA, one in three motorists each year face a breakdown or similar situation and disasters don't just occur on clear blue, 70-degree days with lots of people around. If you do find yourself stranded on that proverbial, dark and stormy night, you'll thank your lucky stars that you assembled an emergency preparedness kit. Here's what should be in it. A lug wrench and jack to change a tire if your car came with a spare; battery jumper cables; a toolkit or multipurpose tool; a flashlight along with backup batteries; reflective triangles so oncoming cars can see you; a compass, there's an app for that; a fully stocked first aid kit; a blanket; nonperishable food items, such as unsalted nuts or dried fruits; a car charger for your phone; fire extinguisher, maybe not one quite this big; duct tape, because, of course; a rain poncho; and emergency contact numbers for family, roadside services, and your insurance provider; cold weather tools, including a snow brush, a small shovel, windshield washer fluid, and warm clothing and cat litter for traction if you get stuck. If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, keeping a well-stocked emergency kit in your car can save you a ton of stress.