16 Essential Items for Your Car Winter Emergency Kit

There are many car winter emergency kits available online. However, building your own ensures 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 most convenient, it should ideally be in the passenger area of the car in case your trunk is frozen shut or inaccessible.

READ MORE: How to build your own roadside emergency kit

While it's impossible to predict what you might need in an emergency, federal and state agencies agree that the following items will help you respond to the most common winter emergencies. Some items on the list are designed to get your car back on the road, while others will keep you safe until help arrives.

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're 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 call for help. Although most of us already keep a charger in the car, having another one in your emergency kit is a good idea so you're never left stranded. Consider a portable phone charging brick in case you're not able to run your car, but remember to check the brick's charge regularly, since the cold can deplete its battery, too.

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.

A flashlight quickly becomes essential if you're stuck in the dark. Store the flashlight in the car emergency kit with the batteries in 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 see your vehicle. Flares are set in the road to alert other motorists 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 or behind all four tires for a bit of extra traction.

Whether you're stuck in a snowbank or 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.

Your car might be toasty warm when you're driving, but when you're in an accident or stuck it's best not to run the engine unless you're certain your exhaust pipe is clear. If it's 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 if 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 emergency situations 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 it's no guarantee, it will help keep the water from freezing.

Hand and foot warmers—favorites of skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts—can keep your extremities warm, and 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.

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 white-out conditions. A 30-foot piece of rope can be tied firmly to the vehicle and used 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 hand-held horn allows you to alert others to your presence even after an accident that leaves your 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 chains. You'll need chains for all your drive tires. That means if you have all-wheel drive, you'll need four, while front- or rear-wheel drive vehicles only need two. To put the chains on, lay them in front of your drive 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.

The best way to prepare for winter weather is by making sure your car is in top condition before freezing temperatures begin. Know how to take care of your tires and what to do if you have to change one unexpectedly. Be sure that you're up-to-date with your oil changes, familiarize yourself with your dashboard lights and know what to do when the check engine light comes on.

Winter driving requires some preparation—from gathering your emergency preparedness kit to purchasing snow tires. The Synchrony Car Care^TM credit card can help you pay for routine maintenance and winter-related car costs, so that you're ready for all weather this season.