16 Essential Items for Your Car Winter Emergency Kit

Driving through a winter wonderland may be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. Each year, 18% of weather-related vehicle crashes happen when roads are covered in snow or slush, and an additional 13% occur on icy roads. And since many American drivers live in or travel to snowy areas, it's important to be prepared when inclement weather strikes.
Staying off the roads during winter storms is one of the best tips for drivers, but it's not always feasible, especially during the holidays. That's why all drivers should have a winter emergency kit in their vehicles. If you're wondering where to get started, here are 16 items to add to your car winter emergency kit that can keep you safe and get you back on the road if an emergency strikes.

There are many car winter emergency kits available online. However, building your own helps ensure that you have exactly what you need and that you know how to use the items.

Once you've assembled everything you need for your kit, get a small storage box with a lid. While storing your kit in the trunk might seem convenient, it should ideally be in the passenger area of the car in case your trunk is frozen shut or otherwise inaccessible.

These essentials should always be in your car, especially during the winter months when you may become stuck on the side of the road.

A first aid kit contains bandages, antiseptics, scissors and other medical supplies that you may need in an emergency. If you're in an accident and help isn't immediately available, a basic first aid kit allows you to treat minor cuts and scrapes until first responders arrive. After purchasing a first aid kit, make sure you are familiar with it and know how to use the items that are inside.

Cold weather can deplete car batteries, increasing your odds of a dead battery. Whether you need cables for yourself or to aid another driver, they're an essential item to have on hand. Remember that while self-contained battery packs for jump-starting your car can also be useful, they're prone to dead batteries during the winter too. Before winter starts, see if your battery needs to be replaced.

Having a charged phone is critical to calling for help. Although many of us already keep a charger in the car, including another one in your emergency kit is a good way to help ensure you're never stranded. Consider a portable phone charging brick in case you can't run your car, but remember to check the brick's charge regularly since the cold can deplete its battery.

You never know when winter weather will hit, so always keep a snow brush and ice scraper in your car, rather than at home. That way, it's with you when you need it.

If you get stuck, these items can keep you safe until help arrives.

Your car might be toasty warm when you're driving, but if you're stuck or in an accident, it's best not to run the engine unless you're certain your exhaust pipe is clear. If the exhaust is blocked, you're at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. A blanket, gloves and hat will help keep you warm if you're unable to run the engine or you have to exit your vehicle.

If you're stranded, food can help keep your blood sugar (and spirits) up. Add high-calorie snacks that can be eaten warm or cold, like mini candy bars, canned chili, nuts and raisins. Consider choosing items that won't freeze.

Water is critical in emergencies, but keeping it in liquid form during the winter can be tricky. Instead of packing plastic water bottles, store emergency water in an insulated container. Then, wrap that container in your blanket. Although there's no guarantee, it may help keep the water from freezing.

Hand and foot warmers—favorites of skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts—can keep your extremities warm, and can even be used to defrost frozen water. Keep the warmers in your kit until you need them. Then, follow the package directions: Normally, you crinkle them to activate, then insert them into your boots, gloves or anywhere else you need a bit of extra heat.

Sometimes, help can be hours away during a weather emergency. Having these items on hand allows you to safely rescue yourself if necessary.

A flashlight quickly becomes essential if you're stuck in the dark. Store the flashlight in the car emergency kit with the batteries backward to avoid accidentally draining them. When it's time to use the light, simply flip the batteries around.

Winter weather often creates low visibility, so it's critical to make sure that other motorists can see your vehicle. Flares are set in the road to alert other travelers to your presence. It can also be helpful to have a red cloth on hand for signaling and catching the attention of first responders.

Slick winter roads can leave you stranded. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter can give your vehicle just enough grip to get back on the road safely. Keep a medium-sized bag or milk carton of gritty material in your car. When you're stuck, sprinkle it in front of or behind all four tires for some extra traction.

Whether you're stuck in a snowbank or you need to shovel sand behind your tires, this is an invaluable piece of winter equipment. Look for a folding emergency snow shovel for easier storage in your vehicle.

If you need to leave your vehicle to use the toilet or search for cell phone service, it can be difficult to make your way back in whiteout conditions. In that case, you can firmly tie a 30-foot piece of rope to your vehicle and then use it to trace your way back to safety.

If your vehicle slides down an embankment or out of sight, signaling for help can be difficult. A whistle or handheld horn allows you to alert others to your presence even after an accident that leaves you unable to move.

If you slide off the road, a tow rope can get you back on your way, oftentimes more quickly than waiting for a tow truck. Of course, you'll need another vehicle (usually a truck) to help tow you out.

To use the tow rope, start by shoveling away as much snow as possible. This will make it easier to pull the vehicle. Next, attach the tow rope to the tow hitch or tow hooks of the vehicle pulling out your car. Then, attach the rope to tow hooks or the frame of the stuck vehicle (never the bumper, axle or suspension). Make sure no one is around the rope, and that each vehicle has a driver. Then, slowly pull the slack from the tow rope, and gently pull the vehicle out.

Also called tire chains, snow chains provide extra grip on icy or snowy roads. While most motorists will never need them, they're required on some roads, including high mountain passes.
Put on snow chains just before you reach a snowy or icy area and take them off when you're back to clear pavement. Since this usually happens in terrible weather, you'll want to know what you're doing before you actually need snow chains.

You'll need chains for all your drive tires. That means if you have all-wheel drive, you need four, while front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicles only need two. To put the chains on, lay them in front of your tires. Slowly drive onto them, stopping in the middle. Then, tighten the chains. While this may sound simple, it takes some practice before you're comfortable doing it in a blizzard. So, before adding snow chains to your emergency kit, familiarize yourself with them at home.

Some winter emergency kits recommend driving with extra gas. However, it's not typically considered safe to drive with a gas can. The fumes can cause headaches and other symptoms, while having extra fuel can make vehicle accidents worse. Instead of carrying a gas can, always check your gas gauge before heading out. Aim to keep your gas tank more than half full during the winter so you always have enough fuel to cope with unexpected emergencies or travel delays.