Snow, icy roads and poor visibility can make winter driving risky. If a crash or breakdown happens and you are stuck on the side of the road in adverse winter weather, the risks and dangers can only increase – especially if there’s a storm or you have to wait for help to arrive.
In these situations, having a winter driving safety kit in your vehicle can be essential to staying safe.
16 Things to Put in Your Winter Driving Safety Kit
While you can buy pre-assembled winter car safety kits from various retailers, assembling your own allows you to customize your kit to fit your and your family’s needs (and it can be more cost effective). When assembling this kit, here are some essentials to include:
- Communication and warning devices – These can help you report an accident or breakdown while alerting other drivers’ to your presence. Such devices can include things like (but not limited to):
- A prepaid cellphone, a cellphone charge or an extra cellphone battery
- A radio
- A flashlight and flares.
- Vehicle repair equipment – This equipment may assist you in getting your vehicle moving again if the damage is relatively minor. Some of these items can include:
- Jumper cables
- Tire chains
- An ice scraper and snowbrush
- Duct tape
- A tire pressure gauge and tire sealant.
- Stuff to keep you warm – This is particularly important if an incident or damage prevents the car’s heater from working. These items can include:
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags
- Extra jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves and/or socks
- Chemical heat packs.
- Stuff to keep you nourished – If you have children or a storm leaves you stranded for hours (or longer), these items can help sustain you, your children and/or other passengers until help arrives. These items can include:
- Nonperishable, calorie-dense foods, like nuts, energy bars, granola and dried fruit
- Water
- A first aid kit and any medicines you or your family depends on (like inhalers, insulin, etc.).
- Other items – While these items may not be as critical to staying safe, they can make you more comfortable as you wait for help. Examples of these items can include:
- Magazines or books
- Puzzles, toys or portable video games (for children).
5 More Tips for Safe Winter Driving
- Get your vehicle serviced before winter (or before a long winter road trip).
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full to prevent gas lines from freezing.
- Keep your winter driving safety kit in a location you can access from inside the cabin (in case the trunk lock freezes or gets jammed shut).
- Check the weather and your route before leaving.
- Tell others your route and plans (so they know where to look for you if you do not arrive at your destination).
Hurt in an Auto Wreck? Contact a Middlesex County Car Accident Lawyer at Mayo Law, P.A
If you or someone you love has been harmed in any type of auto crash, contact a Middlesex County car accident lawyer at Mayo Law, P.A. for more information about your options for financial recovery and justice.
Call us at (732) 613-3100 or toll free at (888) MAYO-LAW. You can also email our firm by clicking the “Free Legal Help Now” button at the top of this page. Initial consultations are free, and we do not charge any legal fees until or unless compensation is secured.
With more than two decades of experience advocating the rights of those injured by negligence, the trusted attorneys at Mayo Law have the insight and experience you can count on to bring your case to a successful resolution.
From offices based in Middlesex County, our attorneys provide the highest quality legal services to people throughout New Jersey and the U.S.
