The Scout motto has it right: Be Prepared!
When driving in the winter months, whether a few miles or across the country, it is advisable to have a winter car emergency kit for survival in your car.
10 Items To Build Your Winter Car Kit
– Windshield Scraper: Car’s defroster can fail. – Snow Brush (45% off)
– Water: Your lifeblood. Sip and conserve.
– Multi-tool: Knife, pliers, etc. – Gerber Multi-Plier Tool (51% off)
– Crank LED Flashlight – LED Crank Light (67% off)
– Light Sticks: Lights help visibility and mental comfort. – Light Sticks (43% off)
– Energy Bars: Avoid chocolate. – Clif Bars, Crunchy Peanut Butter (29% off)
– Small Candles and matches: A surprising amount of heat. – Tea Lights (40% off)
– First Aid Kit: Nothing over the top, just the basics. – First Aid Kit
– Blanket: Wool is the way! – Wool Rescue Blanket
– Reflectors: Signals to put on or around your vehicle. – Emergency Warning Triangle (65% off)
Extras if space allows:
– Jumper Cables – Heavy Duty 20′ 4 Gauge Booster Cable (40% off)
– Shovel – Folding Shovel (40% off)
– Sand, Salt, or Kitty Litter
– Flares
– Radio: Crank or battery operated – Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio w Cell Phone Charger (75% off)
– Hand Warmers – HotHands Hand Warmers
Calling For Help
– Location: Call 911 with your location as you can best describe it. Get lights, reflectors established to make you visible.
– Condition: Inform the operator of the status of everyone in your vehicle, any medical assistance needed, and you contact information and that of your destination.
– Instruction: Follow instructions from the operator. If you must leave the vehicle, write down your name, address, phone number and destination, and leave it in the unlocked car on the dashboard.
Other Travel Tips
– Fill it up: Keep your gas tank at least half full.
– Route it out: Tell people your travel route and estimated arrival time.
– Stay put: Bad weather puts you at risk of hyperthermia, exhaustion, becoming disoriented and lost. Your vehicle is life protecting shelter. Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You might become lost or exhausted. Your vehicle is a good shelter.
– Conserve: Your energy and your car’s. Run the engine only 10 mins per hour and minimize your own physical activities. You cannot risk getting sweaty. Do check exhaust to make sure it is clear of snow.
– Be patient.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
[…] shared a great guide to creating a winter car kit. I live in Texas so this is normally something I don’t think about, but after last […]
I have a couple extra items that are in my emergency kit.
1. Hot pot that runs off the car battery.
2. Cup a soup mix,tea bags instant coffee and cocoa mix.
3. Full size shovel.
4. Change of clothes extra hat gloves and scarf.
5. rain poncho they block wind so you stay warmer.
I normally keep nuts, peanut butter and crackers in the car. Just make sure you rotate so you don’t have stale food.
Wow, Wendy! You’re practically ready for camping. 🙂
Thanks for the additions!