Survive the Winter: 10 Must-Have Items For Your Winter Emergency Kit

A roadside breakdown in the winter can mean freezing temperatures and a lot of waiting in the car. This is especially important for those who live or drive through rural areas where being stuck in a blizzard can be dangerous. This is why a winter emergency kit is an important thing to have to survive in the winter. These are the must-have items you should have in your car for surviving a breakdown in the winter.

Keep reading to find out the must-have items everyone should have in their winter emergency kit.

Item#1: First Aid Kit

It’s important to always have a first aid kit in your car, especially in the winter. Keep the essentials, like spare medication, gauze, band-aids and alcohol rubs in case of an emergency. You will not regret having it handy.

Item #2: LED Flashlight

Your kit should always contain a small LED flashlight with fresh batteries. These will come in handy if you need to change a flat or need to check under the hood to find any quick fixes needed. It can also help inside the cabin if you need to find something and your phone is out of battery. In some cases, you can even use the flashlight to signal oncoming cars or help a tow truck find your location.

We’ve all heard of this next one and it’s imperative you have them.

Item #3: Jumper Cables

You should not depend on another driver to have jumper cables for you to borrow. Always carry your own and be ready to jump-start your car in case of an emergency. These cables are very inexpensive and could save you a costly tow. Just make sure you always know the right way to jumpstart your car

Item #4: Simple Tool Kit

Some roadside fixes can help make your winter travel easier, especially if they can save you the cost of a tow. Having some common tools in your winter survival kit can help you make a few quick fixes that might get your car moving and to a service station or auto shop. These can be a screwdriver, pliers, an adjustable wrench and duct tape.

This next item is probably not on your list, but it will help get you out of a tight spot.  

Item #4: Fix-a-Flat

A can of fix-a-flat can come in handy to get you back on the road in case of a flat tire. It’s much easier than putting on a spare, which can be tricky in the cold. But remember, it isn’t a permanent solution: it will only get you so far until you find a tire shop. Make sure you keep it in the cabin because fix-a-flat needs to be warm to be used. You can also use the defroster before using it if the can becomes cold.

Nevertheless, make sure you’re prepared by upgrading your tires if needed. Visit our promotions page to get the best deals on them.

Item #5: Shovel

Digging out your car from the snow or even digging snow from under the car and around the wheels is so much easier with a proper shovel. But, a shovel can take up a lot of space. Think about buying a foldable shovel to make it easier to store and use.

Don’t forget your phone! This next item is definitely an important one.

Item #6: Cell Phone Charger

Cell phones can be indispensable when your car breaks down for calling for help, but they will do no good if they run out of battery. Always keep a spare car charger in your survival kit to make sure your phone is always charged.

Item #7: Portable Air Compressor

You should always check your tire pressure before heading out on a drive in winter weather, but you might find yourself having low tire pressure in the winter. Tire pressure failures are fairly common in the winter, especially with all the salt on the road. If you have low tire pressure on the road, a portable air compressor can come in handy. They can be powered by the outlet in your car and it doesn’t take up that much space.

Item #8: Safety Absorbent

If you get stuck on ice, a bag of safety absorbent can get you out of the tricky situation. Cat litter can also be an alternative, but floor sweep absorbent works better. These are sold in auto parts stores, used on garage floors to absorb oil and grease. It works wonders.

You’ve heard about keeping warm in the winter being a must. These next items will help you with that.

Item #9: Warm Hat and Gloves

Staying warm is one of the most vital things you can do to survive the winter, especially if you’re stranded during the cold months of the year. This is why its always a good idea to have an extra hat and gloves so you (or someone in your car) can keep warm if you need to get your car out of a ditch while changing tires or taking a look under the hood. Think about bringing a warm blanket too, in case you are waiting a while before help arrives and you can keep warm.

Item #10: Candle-Powered Heater

If you’re stuck or broke down during the winter, your car might not keep running the whole time and keeping it running is tricky. You’ll eventually run out of gas and you’ll need to have some fuel for when help arrives and you need to get moving again.

You also don’t want carbon monoxide levels to rise in the cabin, especially if snow and ice are blocking your car’s exhaust. An easy fix for these problems is a candle-powered heater. This is an easy DIY, where you just need a metal can, a candle and a lighter. In the confined space of the car, the candle will be an excellent heating source.

Once you have all these items, all you need is to pack them up in a box or plastic bin and pop it in the trunk or back seat. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it, but if you have a winter emergency you’ll be glad you have it. You’re all set for surviving the winter with these elements for your winter emergency kit, so start building it before the first big snowstorm comes!

But as with everything, prevention is the best method out there. If you need that winter upgrade for your car, don’t forget to visit our promotions page to get the best deals anyone can offer. 

Sources

https://www.familyhandyman.com/automotive/things-you-need-in-your-winter-car-survival-kit/

https://www.almanac.com/content/winter-car-emergency-kit

Tags: winter driving, winter emergency kit, winter survival
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