Winter is coming up fast. That means grey skies, lots of precipitation, and questionable road conditions. Do you ever pause to make sure you’re prepared for an emergency car issue?
17% of all accidents occur during winter driving conditions. Do you have items in your car that can help mitigate the effects of a winter accident?
Sure, we all keep an ice scraper handy, but what happens if you hit black ice and spin out into a snowy ditch? What if you can’t swerve to miss that same pothole that gets larger with each passing day, and you blow your tire and bend your rim? Or, have you considered how you might deal with simply running out of gas in the freezing Midwest temperatures?
If you haven’t stopped to consider these scenarios, then most likely your vehicle is not equipped with an emergency kit. One way to help minimize the dangers of winter driving is to make sure you are prepared for any emergency. There are many different types of emergency kits out there, and you can customize them depending on how much you are wanting to spend. Take a look at some of the essentials below:
Emergency Car Kit Essentials:
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight (with working batteries)
- Tire pressure gauge
- Sturdy work-type gloves
- First aid kit
- Bottled water
- Crackers or non-perishable food
- Blanket or extra winter coat
- Extra pair of winter clothes
- Instant hot packs
Emergency Car Kit Extras:
- Road flares
- Can tire sealant and inflator
- Tow bands or ropes
- Mylar “space” blanket
- Small shovel (for digging out in the snow)
- Bag of sand or salt for tire traction
- Rain poncho
- Utility knife
- Duct tape
- Bungee cord(s)
- Shoes equipped for deep snow
- Portable Generator Inverter Battery
Would you believe that 90% of vehicles on the road don’t have emergency car kits? Even more so, 30% of people with emergency car kits don’t check to make sure it’s fully stocked. Most items can be easily purchased at convenience stores, grocery stores, and auto supply stores.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy emergency kits if you collect the items on your own. Just make sure to get what you need and stay on top of keeping it stocked (and batteries fresh!). No one plans for an accident or winter car troubles. Being prepared with the necessary emergency kit items will help to ease the stress should you find yourself in the middle of a roadside emergency.
Start learning about the tools needed to drive in various weather conditions today by registering for our Online Course, Traditional Course or Behind the Wheel driving course.
