Winter car emergency kit must-haves

Winter can be fun but when it comes to driving, it's always better to take your precautions and have a winter car emergency kit ready. Many areas of the U.S. are already feeling the effects of commuting in winter. In Texas, the Department of Transportation declared shocking numbers of fog-related car accidents in 2016: 45 fatalities, and 2,430 car accidents.

Colder temperatures have forced everyone inside, and there have already been some slick commutes. Even if you love a good winter storm, it’s a good idea to be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store this year. If you’re going to be commuting to and from work each day, there are some winter survival items that you’ll want to have on hand. Hopefully, you won’t need these items, but it’s a good idea to have them around. Let’s take a look at your car survival kit items, which will keep you safe when driving this winter:

1. Snow Shovel

Depending on where you park while you’re at work, you could end up having your car snowed into a certain spot. This can occur from fast snow accumulation. A plow may have also come through and pushed snow up against your car. If you have a smaller car, there are extendable shovels that are made for easy car storage.

2. Ice Scraper / Brush

An ice scraper/brush combo is something that doesn’t take up a lot of room in your car, but it’s incredibly important that you have one on hand. You could leave the house in the morning with the sun shining through the clouds. By the evening commute, there could be a thick layer of ice on your windshield. Don’t be stranded at work because of not being able to clear off your car.

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3. Drinking-Water

Some people think it’s not important to have drinking water on hand when they’re going to be surrounded by snow. You can guarantee that you’re going to have access to clean snow, and you probably don’t want to worry about pulling over to hydrate yourself . Make sure to have a few bottles of water in your winter car emergency kit, tol help you get through a long commute.

4. Extra Clothing or Blankets

Essentially, you want to find some way to stay warm during a long commute. Always make sure that you have your winter coat on you, but you should also have an extra sweater or two to help you stay warm, extra socks, and a warm blanket to cover your body. If you get wet trying to get to your car, you’ll be happy you have these items.

5. Phone Charger

You won’t be able to alert your family and friends you’re ok if your phone is dead. You also can’t call for help if you end up stranded somewhere in an emergency. Make sure that you have an extra phone charger in your car.

7. Flashlight

Several instances could leave you stranded on the side of the road. If you run out of gas, your car breaks down, or it’s incredibly dark outside, a flashlight will help make the situation a bit brighter for you. A flashlight can also be helpful if you have to leave your car for some reason.

6. Non-Perishable Food Items

Expect your commute to take a little longer than usual when the weather is terrible. You should also be prepared to spend the night in your car if you find yourself in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Non-perishable food items can be kept in your car all season without needing to be replaced. Make sure to have some granola bars, cereal, and even freeze-dried meals in your winter car emergency kit. This can provide you with sustenance that you need to make it home. Check out a list of non-perishable food items here.

8. Sand or Cat Litter

Your car is at risk of sliding off the road into an embankment when the roads are slick. It can be challenging to get back on the road if your car cannot gain traction. A bag of sand or cat litter can be emptied onto the road underneath your tires. You should be able to get enough traction to get going again.

9. Road Flares

If your car gets stranded on the side of the road, you could be in a dangerous situation. Road flares can be lit to alert snowplows, tow trucks, and emergency personnel that you’re nearby.

10. A Full Tank of Gas

In the summer months, it’s not a huge deal to let your gas tank run down to under a quarter of a tank. In the winter, this could be a very dangerous situation. Make sure that you keep your tank above the halfway point at all times. If you know a storm is coming, make sure you fill up.

Some years a winter storm is inevitable, but there’s no definitive way of predicting what an entire season will hold. Before you head out for work in the morning, you should check the weather forecast and make sure to put all of these items in your winter car emergency kit before your head out. The daily forecast can provide you with valuable information on how you should dress, what items you should have on hand for your commute and what you can expect in the way of traffic due to current road conditions.

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