Winter Safety Kit

Include in your kit:

• Blankets - If you get stranded or get into a crash, it’ll get cold fast, especially if your car won’t turn on. You can’t always rely on your car’s heater, so keep warm with a blanket. Spare blankets from your house work, but reflective emergency blankets can work better and take up less space.
• Mittens, Socks & Hats - Wearing gloves and other warm clothing will make the task of clearing your car easier. It also doesn’t hurt to keep a few hand warmers in your car. Always be ready to bundle up to prevent frostbite! You’ll do a better job of clearing your car when you’re warm.
• Ice Scraper & Snow Brush - Keep both an ice scraper and a snow brush in your vehicle to clear off your windows and lights. Pick one up next time you fill up with gas, it's more efficient than using your least-favorite credit card.
• Multi-tool or Small Tool Kit - A multi-tool, such as a Leatherman Tool or a Swiss Army Knife may allow you to fix minor vehicle problems, instead of having to wait for help.
• Shovel - Buy a small or collapsible shovel to keep in your trunk. It will come in handy if you get stuck in snow or if you have to clear a path to drive.
• Emergency Flares or Reflectors - Storms reduce visibility, no matter what time of day or night. Reflectors will help other cars and emergency vehicles see you if you are stopped on the side of the road.
• Battery or Wind-Up Radio - In the event that your battery is dead, you'll be able to monitor the weather.
• Tow Chain & Tire Chains - A tow chain is a great tool to get your car out of snow. Add in some tire chains if your state allows them to help with traction.
• Sand, Kitty Litter or Traction Mats - This will help your tires gain traction if your vehicle is stuck in the snow. Place near your tires and in your car’s path to get out of a slippery situation.
• Small Tarp - A small 5' x 7' tarp makes kneeling in the snow and slush a lot easier and drier.
• Cell Phone - Either an extra cell phone, a burner cell phone, or a rechargeable battery pack for your regular cell phone. You'll need extra battery power if you're travelling in an area with low cell phone signal, and weather affects cell phone service too.
• Roadside Assistance Number - If you're driving a new vehicle, your car may have come with some sort of roadside assistance package when you purchased it for a certain period of time. There may be a sticker on one of your windows with your manufacturer’s roadside assistance number, but just in case, look up your manufacturer's phone number and program it into your cell ahead of time.

• Spare Tire/Tire Sealant - Know where your spare tire is located, and how to change it. While most trucks and SUV’s come equipped with a spare tire, many new cars today don’t. These cars come with fix a-flat like tire sealant to seal a damaged tire in the case of an emergency. Some people choose to purchase a spare tire if their vehicle didn’t come equipped with one.
• First-Aid Kit - Many new cars come equipped with one typically near the spare tire, or in your trunk. If your car doesn’t have one, you can pick one up locally before your next trip.
• Food and Water - Make sure to get foods that won’t spoil, like protein bars or granola bars. Also remember to keep bottled water in your vehicle or near your door to grab before trips.
• Jumper Cables or a Portable Jump Starter - A good portable jump starter will last years, doesn't require another vehicle and is well worth the investment.
• Flashlight - Many of us use the light on our phone, but it’s still a good idea to have a regular flashlight in case the battery is running low on your phone. The new LED flashlights are inexpensive and provide a very good amount of light.
• Sunglasses - They're not just for summer! The glare coming off snow makes it tougher to see and contributes to eye strain.