How to Prepare a Winter Vehicle Emergency Kit
Two weeks ago at this time I was sitting on a beach at Beaches Negril in Jamaica soaking up the sun with a delicious drink in my hand. Today…
I’m slipping on my boots then picking up my winter coat at the dry cleaner. It is only a matter of time before I have to trudge through the snow. As much as I hate driving in inclement weather, sometimes traveling during the winter months is unavoidable. If you live in areas prone to unfriendly winter weather or will be passing through such areas during holiday travels, it is important to be prepared. Stocking the vehicle in the event you experience car problems, are involved in an accident or find that a turn in the weather requires you to pull over is critical.
Plan accordingly by using these tips to prepare your vehicle and create a winter vehicle emergency kit!
First and foremost, equip your vehicle with winter tires! They handle better than all-season tires and can make a difference when you hit a bad patch in the road.
Whether you keep a duffel bag at home that you throw in the car when you leave or simply store these in a bin in your trunk, they are items that can help.
- A shovel. Even if it’s just a small emergency shovel, it’s better than nothing.
- Windshield scraper and small broom
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Emergency radio.
- Water
- Snack food including energy bars, raisins, mini candy bars.
- Matches and small candles
- Blankets or a sleeping bag
- First aid kit including a multi-purpose tool or pocket knife
- Necessary medications
- Tow chain or rope
- Road salt, sand or cat litter for traction
- Booster / Jumper cables
- Emergency flares and reflectors
- Fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention
- Cell phone charging cables and portable battery
Most important, pack a sense of reason. If it’s too dangerous to drive, don’t! But if you have to travel in the winter, don’t let fashion get the best of you. Either wear boots or pack them along with extra hats, socks and mittens. You may find yourself needing to scrape windows or shovel your car out when you’re leaving work, a store or restaurant so you’ll want to make sure you can do so without getting frostbite.
Stay safe during your winter driving by preparing it with winter tires, completing the necessary maintenance and service and assembling the necessary preparedness kit.
How do you prepare your vehicle for winter driving?
I love your list for a winter emergency kit! I have all those things except for a tow chain or rope. I especially like one of your final comments about packing a sense of reason!!! Too often, I see people driving like the road is dry, swerving in and out and around slower cars. It makes me cringe.
I just got a first aid kit for my car. I still have to pack it to prepare for the winter months. You have some good ideas.
I try to keep some of your list in my car at all times.After seeing your list now I see stuff I didn’t even think of.Thanks for the tips!
Great tips! I do have many of those things in there, but not a shovel which wouldn’t hurt to have.
I’ve never thought of having some of those. A small shovel and ice is just a great idea that I have never even considered. Thanks for sharing these great tips!
This is a pretty good idea. I mean, winter and I are already arch nemeses, but if she takes my car, I’d better be prepared for it so I don’t end up on the side of the road shaking my fist and screaming “WINTER!”
Living in Southern California I don’t have to worry about snow. We do however keep emergency backpacks and supplies in the trunks of our cars. We even made up packs for our kids for Christmas one year. I remember driving back from South Florida to Southern California a few years back. We were stuck in Washington DC during a blizzard and we were so glad we had emergency supplies.
Since I live in a busy city I never thought to pack some of these items. However, in the event of an extreme emergency, I can see how they would really be lifesavers.
Tiss Usefull – I am from New England.
great ideAS. THANKS
These are some great tips!
These are great tips for an winter emergency kit for your car. Thank you!
We always keep an emergency kit in our cars!! Safety First!
Thanks so much for the nice tips and pointers on being prepared for a winter emergency. It has been a milder winter until now, but you never know.
I would throw in a bag of salt.
Winter is on its way in Idaho and I thank you for this article to help me remember to put the emergency kit in the car. Thanks again.
Having an emergency kit, especially during the winter months is so important. Making sure that you have enough in your kit to supply ALL your passengers. If you even sometimes have 5 passengers, then have enough provisions for 5 people – not just 4 (like you may typically have). It’s better to have too much than not enough.
Have not ever bothered, but after the recent deep freeze, is time to do so, thank you for the rundown!!!
During the winter I put a kit that includes an extra pair of gloves, a scarf, jacket, blanket, and small shovel and snacks. As well as trying to keep my gas tank full incase of getting stuck on the road. You never know when you might get stuck during the bad winter weather months
Our car gives us text messages or we get a report in email. The report also tells us which tires need air.
We live in IL. There are many snow storms here. We have learned over many years and trial and errors over these years to know how and what to keep in our emergency packages through each season. This is a great article!
Very good tips these kits are essential here in Michigan .