Winter Driving

10 Car Essentials for Winter Driving

Driving in the winter can be hazardous, especially if you live in a cold and icy climate. It seems like every winter we are inundated by videos of drivers getting stuck or experiencing other car-related emergencies. Be prepared for whatever may happen during your winter driving with these 10 car essentials. 

• Water and food. No matter if you are stuck for a few hours or overnight, you're going to need some nourishment. Pack snacks that are non-perishable and full of nutrients, like jerky, granola bars, or peanut butter. Be sure to include a gallon of water for each person who typically travels in your car. 
• Extra shoes and clothes. You never know when you may get into car trouble, so pack extra shoes or boots to keep your feet warm. You should also throw in extra hats, scarves, sweaters, or jackets for all members of your family. 
• Blanket. Roll up a few heavy-duty blankets and keep them in the car in case you are stuck waiting for help to arrive. 
• First aid kit. This is a good thing to keep in your car year round because you never know when a small or large injury will occur. Make sure your kit has bandages, wipes, ointment, and gauze.
• Flashlight and extra batteries. Keep a large, high-voltage flashlight in your car and make sure the batteries are in working condition. Hand-crank flashlights are also a good option. 
• Phone charger. Most drivers rely on cell phones to get help or directions, so make sure you have an extra charging cable or hand-crank charger in case your phone dies during an emergency. 
• Sand or kitty litter. This basic item can be incredibly helpful in getting traction under your tires to get out of a snowy area. As a bonus, sand bags are also helpful for adding weight and traction to the back of a truck or large vehicle. 
• Jumper cables. A good thing to have in case you get stuck or if you need to help someone else, invest in a quality pair of jumper cables and make sure you know how to connect them properly. 
• Shovel. A small folding shovel can be incredibly helpful in digging snow out from around your car. 
• Flashers or flares. LED flashers are useful for alerting other drivers of your car on the side of the road. Flares are an older version of the same thing.