Living where winters are brutally cold often turns you into a bit of a winter-driving pro.
But being adept at winter driving involves more than knowing how to recover from an icy skid or properly clear your windshield. It also means keeping up with key vehicle maintenance like testing the battery, checking exterior lights and routinely monitoring tire pressure.
Equally important is keeping a winter emergency kit stashed in your car for the season. The best way to protect yourself if you become stranded during a winter storm — aside from avoiding travel in that storm — is to have a well-stocked winter car emergency kit.
10 Essentials for a Winter Car Emergency Kit
Many items for a winter emergency kit are probably already in your home; the rest are inexpensive to buy.
1. Phone Charger
Your phone is vital in an emergency, so keeping it charged is crucial.
Along with a charging cable, I suggest getting a portable power bank in case the vehicle can’t supply power to your phone.
If you don’t have extras lying around, you can pick up affordable chargers and power banks on Amazon that will work well when you need them.
2. Flashlight and Batteries
Although phones include flashlight apps, a standalone flashlight is useful for inspecting under the hood or around the car if you’re attempting a repair. Make sure it has fresh batteries.
3. Multi-Purpose Radio
If your car loses all electrical power and your phone can’t be charged, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio might be your only way to get updates.
Radios are inexpensive these days, and a multi-function hand crank radio can replace both a flashlight and a phone power bank in one.
4. Hats, Gloves and Blankets
You should always wear a coat when driving in winter, but it’s smart to keep extra cold-weather gear in the trunk.
If you have spare hats, gloves, scarves, socks and blankets at home, toss them in the car. If not, thrift stores are a great place to buy inexpensive items intended for warmth rather than fashion.
5. Foldable Shovel
If you slide off the road, getting your vehicle out of deep snow can be difficult. A small folding shovel is helpful in these situations.
They’re widely available online — for example, this fold-up model with a nylon carry bag is a convenient option.
6. Road Salt or Kitty Litter
Shovels aren’t the only tool to help if you’re stuck. Road salt adds much-needed traction under tires.
An inexpensive 5-pound bag stored in your trunk will help, and kitty litter or coarse sand can work as alternatives.
7. Snacks and Water
If you’re stranded for several hours, staying hydrated and energized matters. Keep bottled water in the trunk if space allows, and include nonperishable protein-rich snacks like nuts and protein bars.
8. Flares and Jumper Cables
Flares and jumper cables belong in your car year-round, but are particularly important in winter when nights are longer and batteries are more likely to fail. You can get a roadside flare kit and jumper cables at an auto parts store or online.
9. First Aid Kit
A compact first aid kit is another must-have. It should include bandages, tweezers, scissors, tape, antiseptic ointment, pain relievers, insect bite cream and burn cream. You can buy ready-made travel kits or put one together yourself.
10. Tools
Having a few basic tools, including an ice scraper, can be invaluable in a winter emergency. A multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife is especially handy for various needs.
Also consider keeping a pet emergency kit in your vehicle if you travel with animals, so you’re prepared for their needs as well.
Michael Reed is a contributor for Savinly. Deputy editor Laura Finch updated this article.
