December 30, 2022 by Anne Kelley

10 Essential Things You Should Keep In Your Car During Winter

The weather in winter can get dangerous really fast, so make sure that you have these 23 items in your car so that you can keep yourself safe.

1. First Aid Kit

You should have a first aid kit in your car anyway, but if you end up in an accident this winter, a first aid kit will help you patch up any injuries while you wait for help.

2. Gloves

Heavy Duty gloves are a must during the winter! You’ll likely have to get out of your car and scrape ice at least once a year, so having waterproof gloves will help keep you safe and comfortable in the cold months. Nothing is worse than frostbite!

3. Water and Snacks

If you end up stranded on the side of the road, you probably don’t want to be hungry too. Water and snacks are essential to keep in your car. If the U.S. is hit with another snow storm, you could end up sleeping in your car for anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Make sure you at least have water!

4. Jumper Cable

The winter weather is really rough on car engines, so if you need a jump start, jumper cables will save you from having to call for an expensive tow. You could also meet some new friends! If you are extra worried about your car’s battery, look into buying a portable jumpstarter.

5. Ice Scraper

You might already have an ice scraper in your car, but if you don’t, make sure you get one asap! An ice scraper will not only save you time but also keep you a lot safer while you drive. Your car’s defrost likely only covers a certain amount of the windshield so you’ll need a icescraper to remove ice from the rest.

6. Flashlight with spare batteries

Darkness comes quickly in winter, so keeping a flashlight with spare batteries is crucial to keeping you safe if you have an accident in the dark.

7. Blankets

Blankets are crucial when keeping yourself warm if you need to keep your car off while you wait for help, especially if you drive kids around. Keep plenty of thick ones in your car during the winter!

8. Cell Phone Charger

This might seem like a no-brainer but make sure you have a phone charger in your car if you need to wait for help. You don’t want help not to be able to find you because your phone it dead!

9. Safety flares and reflective triangles

Setting out Safety flares or reflective triangles can help other drivers avoid you if you are stuck on the road, but they can also help rescue vehicles find you quicker.

10. Full Tank of Gas

Keeping your tank full might seem annoying to keep up with, but it will save you from ending up stranded on the side of the road in the cold. It might also be a good idea to keep an extra gas can if you plan to drive down less traveled roads.

Posted in: How to Guides

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