Wintertime is quickly approaching and with the past few years, you never know how dangerous the weather may become. It is always good to be prepared for the cold winter days, especially if you're driving alone or with others. It is always better to be safe than sorry and equipped with some of these simple but yet important items.
1. Scraper
The one item that most people already have, a scraper. The simple but very important tool to get the ice as well as snow off the windows of your car to create the most visibility as possible.
2. Matches and or lighter
You never know if you'll get stranded and will need to start a fire somewhere or someplace just to stay warm. Matches and lighters are not just for those who smoke, they can be life savers in a time of need.
3. Gloves and Hats
Extra gloves and hats stored under your seat or in the glove compartment are important incase while shoveling snow your hands get cold, or even while cleaning off your car. You do lose the most heat from your body at the top of your head, so to stay warm a extra hat is always a good idea.
4. Flashlight and extra batteries for that flashlight
If stranded in a snow storm or even on the side of the road, always important to have a flash light to provide yourself some light as well as the drivers around you to create awareness.
5. Jumper cables
Winter time or summer time, jumper cables are an essential. Not just for yourself incase your car battery decides to go, but for someone else incase they are stranded on the side of the road. No-one wants to be by themselves with no help, so jumper cables are just a must have.
6. Water bottles
Always have a case of water bottles in your car to drink incase you are stranded. You never know how long you'll be without water, so having extra within your car is always important.
7. Blankets
Especially during these crazy winter storms we seem to be having, extra blankets are important incase you have to wait for help and your heat is no longer working in your car nor is your car even running. Staying warm is critical, especially if the temperatures are below freezing; you do not want hyperthermia to set in.
8. Phone charger (portable and a car charger)
In case, of any emergency, an accident or just broken down; a phone is needed to call for help usually. So be prepared and always have a portable charger with you as well as a car charger, if one fails, resort to the other.
9. Shovel
You may be thinking of a huge snow shovel when i say shovel, but there are not shovels that can collapse and are made to fit into cars just for this reason. If you are snowed in and or slid off the road into a snow bank; you can use the shovel to dig your way out hopefully allowing your tires to grab more traction.
10. Road flare
If you're every stuck on the side of the road, road flares create awareness that you're not only stuck but you are present there in the situation. Allowing cars and other fellow drivers to adjust properly as well as drive cautiously around you for yours and their safety.
11. Granola Bars and or protein bars
Having snack may seem like a crazy old lady idea but in reality if you are stuck during a storm and don't know when you'll receive help, having snacks to hold you over is always ideal. You don't want to starve while waiting for help.
12. Sand
Not many people know this but if you're stuck on ice and your tires keep spinning, sprinkling sand down creates traction for the tires. Also if you drive a front wheel drive truck, putting sand in the bed of the truck puts weight in the back preventing the back tires from sliding out from the truck and fish-tailing.
13. Extra clothes: jackets, socks, pants
Having extra clothes is never a bad thing. Especially if your already existing clothes that you're wearing are wet from shoveling your car, extra clothes will always allow for maximum warmth.
14. Extra money
If you are stranded, either near stores or not near stores, having extra cash on you, stashed somewhere in your car is always important in case you need a new car part or even more gas at a local station; and some stranger is just nice enough to give you a ride or tow to that location.
15. Trash bags / grocery bags
You know those bags that groceries are put in, the plastic ones that you most likely throw out, don't. Don't throw them out because sure you can use them as a trash bag for you car if you double them up but for cold days and you don't have the proper boots on; there is an old trick on how to keep your feet warm and dry. You take the plastic bags and place your feet in them and tie the bag around your ankles and then place your foot back in your shoe, this is a classic trick to keep your feet warm while out in the snow; especially when your shoes are not fit for the weather.
