The cold weather is here to stay, and that means you need to be prepared if your car breaks down. If you don’t have an emergency kit in your trunk or back seat, now is the time to get one together. You never know when something bad will happen, and it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Here are five necessary items to have in your winter emergency car kit:
Snow gear
Your heat might be blowing warm air now, but you never know when your car will break down. Make sure you’re ready to take on the cold by packing plenty of extra winter gear in the back of your car. Do you have gloves, extra socks, a warm hat and scarf? If you have to check the engine, or change a flat tire, you’re going to want to be bundled up!
Extra phone charger
If you’ve put off investing in a car phone charger, now is the time to go out and by one. Smartphones don’t have much of a battery life, and if you break down in the middle of nowhere with no juice, you’re going to be up a creek without a paddle. During the winter it’s a good idea to always charge your phone prior to leaving, and while you’re driving to wherever you’re going. You never know when something unexpected will happen!
Lights
Battery powered lights last a long time, and will come in very handy if you’re having to work on your car when it’s dark. Flares are a good option too, as they can start a fire if needed in dire situations.
Food and drink
Always have a gallon of water and some sort of snack food in your car in case of an emergency. If you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere it can take hours, or even days to make contact with someone. Protect yourself and make sure you have some fuel for yourself.
Shovel
Have you ever slid off the road and into an embankment? Then you know how important a shovel is. Whether you need to dig out snow and ice from around your tires, or clear a safe space for your vehicle to pull over, a shovel is a must-have tool.
Protect yourself and your family by investing in a car emergency kit this winter! It doesn’t cost much to stay safe, and it’s always good to be prepared!