Being awakened at 3 a.m. by a smoke detector chirping because of dying batteries, discovering that a tire is low when you're late for an appointment, or losing the pin in the hinge of your eyeglasses don't rank as full-blown disasters. But these annoying inconveniences can upend your schedule and leave you scrambling for a fix. That can mean scheduling a costly after-hours service call, cooling your heels at a repair shop or going without something until a professional can help.
I've learned, though, that when things go sideways, it's helpful to have some relatively inexpensive items around that can allow you to fix small problems yourself, or at least buy you time until you can enlist a pro to remedy the situation. Here's a list of things to keep handy, based on my experience and recommendations from friends, colleagues and professionals.
1. Batteries
Most people keep extra AA and AAA batteries on hand, but it's worth having a stash of 9-volts - the size used in many smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - around as well. Even hard-wired smoke detectors have a 9V battery backup. And odds are that when one goes, the others will soon follow, subjecting you to a symphony of incessant chirping until they are replaced. It might also be worth having extra C batteries in your arsenal. My new wireless window and door alarm sensors are powered by type Cs. When they get low - typically after 12 to 18 months, you can pay for your alarm company to send out a technician to replace them (in my case a $99 service fee) or DIY. I choose the latter.
2. Air compressor
When outdoor temperatures swing dramatically between hot and cold, it can affect your tire pressure. Tires that look fully inflated one day can look flat the next, possibly causing your car's low-pressure indicator to come on. This is a frequent issue in Colorado, where I live. I invested in an electric air inflater for about $75. It's easy to use and allows me to quickly add pressure wherever I am. And if you notice a nail or screw has punctured the tire, you can at least pump the tire up enough to drive to a repair shop without having to change the tire or wait for a tow truck.
3. Paper clips
These come in handy to create a temporary zipper pull, necklace clasp or, with some adhesive tape, splint for a broken finger or toe. They are also a great way to reattach an arm to your eyeglasses. Unwind a sturdy paper clip and thread it through the hole in the hinge to replace a lost pin. Wrap it around once and break off any excess so you don't accidentally scratch yourself.
4. Duct tape
This strong, flexible and super-sticky problem-solver can be used to patch cracks, rips, tears and holes on garden hoses, trash cans, tarps, tennis shoes and more. Jennifer Lawler, of Los Angeles, says she once used it to keep a broken handle on her refrigerator functioning for months while her landlord tried to find a replacement. And Catherine Aceto, of Pittsburgh, says she keeps duct tape in her car for "when you rip your bumper loose on a curb."
5. Electrical tape
Lawler says she once used this sticky, flexible black adhesive to keep a frayed laptop charger working while she was on a trip to Europe. It also makes a great patch for grips on sports equipment or tools. I even wrapped the black leather strap of my favorite handbag with electrical tape when the stitching started to unravel to hold it together until I could get it to a repair shop.
6. FIXD sensor
When your vehicle's check engine light comes on, it silently nags you and makes you wonder whether it's something minor or your car is on the verge of a breakdown. Erin Lawrence, a reviewer at Tech Gadgets International, keeps a FIXD car code reader ($40) in her vehicle. "FIXD is a way to tell if a warning light on your car is minor or serious without finding a mechanic," she says. "It connects to your car's OBD2 port (on board diagnostics) under your dashboard. Just plug it in and use the app to see exactly what your car is trying to tell you. It's like a pocket translator for your car."
7. Leatherman multi-tool
Ali Smith, founder and CEO of Rebarkable, says her Leatherman multi-tool (these start at $40), which includes a knife, scissors, screwdriver, tweezers, nail file and more, keeps her day on track. "Having one of these handy little things has helped me bend a phone charger back to shape, pull a splinter and re-screw a chair leg back into place," she says.
8. Heavy-duty plastic sheeting
George Matusyan, owner and operational manager of United Windows Pro, recommends keeping heavy-duty clear plastic sheeting around in case a window breaks. It's available at home improvement stores; look for 6 mil or thicker. Ensure a tight seal by pairing it with - what else? - robust duct tape. I can attest that this works. Years ago, when a tree branch crashed through my home's skylight during a snowstorm, some plastic sheeting and the help of a kind sheriff's deputy helped mitigate the damage until I could call my roofer.
9. Cork stoppers
If you have a cracked sink or bathtub plug that's causing a leak or prevents the tub from filling, cork stoppers, available at many home improvement and hardware stores, are the perfect size to wedge in drains for a quick fix until new plugs come, says Lindsey Chastain, founder and CEO at The Waddle and Cluck.
10. Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Most people have this pantry staple on hand anyway. It can be used to create temporary patches and seals on damaged exhaust pipes, hoses and more. "Foil shapes easily to wrapped connections, preventing leaks and blockages until replacements arrive," Chastain says.
11. Wet-dry vacuum
Brian Vastola, of Wake Forest, N.C. says that having an inexpensive 2.5-gallon wet-dry vacuum has helped him many times. "I saved a ton of money on water damage, especially for my wood floors and those pesky second-floor leaks that damage the first-floor ceiling. I've used my vacuum when the air conditioner leaked, when the refrigerator filter leaked, when installing a new garbage disposal and when the toilet leaked," he says. Corded models run $30 to $75; cordless ones start around $100.