How to stock your winter car emergency kit
Picture this: you’re driving down a snowy road in the middle of winter, when all of a sudden your motor stops working. You find yourself stranded on the side of the road in sub-zero temperatures. You call for help, but the closest tow truck is a few hours away. Lucky for you, there’s no need to panic. You have a winter car emergency kit to assist you until help arrives.
Preparing an emergency kit
Is you car winter ready? When it comes to a car emergency kit, preparation is key. You never know when an emergency will happen or how long it will last. By being prepared ahead of time, you’ll have everything you need on hand to tide you over.
When stocking your car emergency kit, think about items that would come in handy for your personal wellbeing, as well as your vehicle's functionality. For example, you’ll want sufficient food and water on hand to stay well hydrated.
You’ll also want to update your emergency kit based on the season. Some items in your emergency kit are useful all year around, while others come in handy in specific seasons.
Here are some recommended items for your car emergency kit.
- Food: Non-perishable food with a longer expiry date that doesn’t need to be heated.
- Water: It’s helpful to keep a case of water in your vehicle at all times.
- Blankets: To keep you warm if you’re stranded for a long time.
- Spare clothing: It’s a good idea to carry extra coats, clothing and boots for cold weather.
- First-aid kit: No car emergency kit would be complete without one. Comes in handy in case you get sick or injured. Be sure to keep it fully replenished at all times.
- Scrapper, shovel and snowbrush: Comes in handy for clearing snow off your vehicle.
- Candle, lighter, matches and flashlight: To provide warmth and light if you’re without power for an extended period of time.
- GPS and map: In case you’re stranded somewhere you’re not familiar with.
Extra items to keep in the trunk of your vehicle
While a car emergency kit is great, unfortunately, there isn’t room for everything in it, especially bigger, bulkier items. Here is a list of items you should consider keeping in the trunk of your vehicle.
- Cat litter (non-clumping), salt and sand: To help with the traction of your vehicle is inclement weather.
- Spare winter tires: These come in handy if you get a flat tire during your trip. Be sure to carry the appropriate tools to change the flat.
- Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid: You never know when you’ll run out. These help with the visibility of your vehicle.
- Warning lights and road flares: To make yourself more visible for helicopters and other emergency vehicles when you need assistance.
- Jumper cables: In case your vehicle’s battery needs a boost to get started in frigid weather.
- Tow rope: In case your vehicle gets stuck in the ice or snow.
- Sleeping bags: To keep you warm, in case you end up staying overnight until help arrives.