Life is generally fairly routine, but you always want to be prepared in case something unexpected happens. If your vehicle is properly outfitted, you can quickly and confidently handle even the most challenging situation — not to mention the regular day-to-day stuff.

Swipe through this list of 9 items you should always have in your car.

Should you encounter any kind of car trouble or find yourself hopelessly lost, having a charged cell phone is imperative. Make sure you have a functioning charger and maybe even a spare.

True to its name, a multitool can be used for a myriad of reasons. It’s small and compact, but with pliers, screwdriver, knife, scissors, and more, you might be surprised how often you reach for it.

Photography: Amazon

If you break down on the side of the road at night, flares or emergency reflective triangles will alert passing traffic to your situation. These emergency beacons will also guide emergency personnel to your location if necessary. If you have flares in your car, be sure to have something to light them with.

Hopefully you’ll never need an escape tool, but it’s good to have one just in case. These tools can slice through seatbelts and a hammer-like end will break glass, if an emergency exit is required.

Photography: Amazon

You’ll be glad to have rags and wet wipes in your car when your hands or your kids’ hands get mucked up with any combination of stickiness. It's best to get that ketchup cleaned up before it gets smeared all over your seats.

If you live in a part of the country where your windshield gets iced over regularly, you’ll definitely want to keep an ice scraper in the car. This inexpensive little devices will clear your windows quickly and efficiently.

Whether you need to dig around in the trunk late at night or search for your dog who hopped out of your car at a rest stop, a flashlight is a must-have item for your car.

Whether it’s to get your own vehicle started again or to help a stranded stranger in a parking lot, it’s always good to have a set of jumper cables in your car. With the aid of another car, these will get the car started quickly so there's enough time to get to a repair shop for a full checkup.

It’s hard to predict exactly what could go wrong when you’re out and about, and the strangest things can sometimes happen. Carry duct tape and zip-ties in your car and you’ll be prepared for your bumper coming loose, for example, or for other random incidents.

Photography: Amazon