Winter Preparedness Kit

Winter conditions—snow, slush, sleet, and cold temperatures—necessitate adaptations on the part of drivers. For example, the threat of overnight snow accumulation means you’ll probably be carrying an ice scraper and snow brush in your car. A collapsible or compact shovel could be another tool employed against snow clearing and stowed in the trunk. Maybe even a pair of inexpensive but durable winter gloves that keep the tools company and make the job of clearing snow even easier.

Those might be some of the basics, but if you’re especially keen on being prepared for all eventualities, you might be carrying a little more than that. A warm blanket can be a welcome luxury in the event of a crash or if you get stranded. If your car starts up (it may refuse to turn on after a crash), you won’t necessarily be able to rely on the heater. A first aid kit, flashlight, and a basic tool kit are good items to round out your winter-preparedness arsenal. Let’s break down these items and others and see how you can prepare for this winter and beyond.

WHAT’S NEEDED MOST

No winter-ready kit is complete without a dependable ice scraper and snowbrush, or a single tool which incorporates the functionality of both. These tools will most likely be some of the first you break out after experiencing some snowfall. Light dust or snow can be easily brushed away, while ice or heavy snow accumulation will require a little more effort but still remain quite simple to clear using these tools. If you’re seeing a lot of snow without much ice, the Snow Joe snow broom is an excellent tool for quickly clearing large chunks of snow off your car. If you do find ice, the Snow Joe has an ice scraper attached to the opposite end.

While these tools work great for clearing your car of snow, a simple shovel can be the tool that gets your car out of the muck and actually driving on the road. Consider a collapsible shovel if you’re short on space or just want the greater portability. Either way, a solid shovel is one of the first tools to be used after heavy snowfall. Of course, it can also be used to clear a driveway or street parking space. Don’t forget the utility of a shovel in the event of an emergency situation too!

EMERGENCY TOOLS

Getting stranded in the middle of a snowstorm or not being able to turn on your car after an accident are two of the worst situations you can find yourself in in the winter. Fortunately, there are some things you can carry with you which can make these situations safer and much less stressful. Packing a warm blanket is one of the simplest steps to take. If you have an extra one at home, make it the dedicated car blanket. Getting stranded is unlikely. Ignition failure is unlikely. But both situations do happen, and a humble blanket will be relief enough if you have to spend more time in your car than expected, especially if you can’t rely on the heater.

Also consider bringing a first aid kit (which you may already carry in your car), a flashlight, and jumper cables. All will be worthwhile investments, even if they’re rarely used. These emergency tools are carried so you can have them when you don’t need them instead of not having them when you do need them.

SNACKS, WATER, AND MORE

Lastly, there are a handful of other items you may want to consider bringing as a complement to the essentials and emergency supplies, the first being a cell phone charger. This is another item you may carry in your car already. If not, consider doing so during the winter months or at least if you expect to be encountering heavy snow, especially at night. If a signal is available, your smartphone is your link to emergency services and other help if you’re stranded or otherwise unable to continue driving. A cell phone charger, or better yet, an external battery pack, like this Anker PowerCore 10000 (which has enough capacity, 10,000mAh, to fully charge most phones twice over), is a great way to keep your phone charged on the go and ready in case of the worst.

Snacks and water round out the list. Again, consider keeping these in your car mainly if traveling in heavy snow or overnight, when the risk of stranding or an accident is highest. Try to keep the water out of the sun and use non-perishable foods for the best results. Now, you’ll be ready for almost anything and have peace of mind when driving in the winter. Stay warm this winter and drive safe!