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What To Keep In Your Car's Emergency Kit This Winter
Winter is here, which means snow and ice will be a regular part of your commute. While you can't completely control the weather, you can be prepared for it by ensuring your car has an emergency kit containing the items listed below. This way, if you get stranded on the side of the road or stuck in an icy ditch after sliding off the road, you'll have everything you need to make it through until help arrives.
Bag of Sand or Kitty Litter
Sand and kitty litter are great for digging your car out of snow or mud. You can keep a bag or two in your trunk.
Snow Brush and Ice Scraper
You should keep a snow brush and ice scraper in your car's emergency kit. A snow brush helps clear snow from your vehicle's windows, mirrors, and lights. An ice scraper can clear ice from the same parts of your car that are cleared with a snow brush.
However, neither tool should ever be used on your windshield or headlights!
Emergency Flares or Reflective Triangles
Emergency flares and reflective triangles are essential equipment that can help keep you safe in an emergency. The flares are usually red, yellow, or orange and come in the shape of flares for fire trucks or railroad crossings. They’re used to send a distress signal as large as possible so that someone can see it from a distance.
Flares can also deter animals from getting too close if they’re stuck on the side of the road because they have a strong odor and bright coloration that animals tend to avoid.
The triangles are for setting up on the road at night, especially if your car battery is dead and not make your vehicle visible. Safely put road triangles around your car to alert other drivers to your presence, and if possible, always have your hazards on.
Spare Tire and Jumper Cables
Storing an emergency spare tire in your trunk is a smart move. It can save you from being stranded on the side of the road, and it’s always better to use a new spare than to drive with a flat.
Jumper cables are also a must. If your car won't start, this is essential equipment. You'll need them if you have dead batteries or someone else's battery dies while you're driving, and they need help getting started again. (If you have jumper cables but need to learn how to use them correctly, here's our guide.)
First Aid Kit
An excellent first aid kit should include bandages, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, and a pain reliever. A few heating pads or shakeable heat packs (which some use during work or watersports) should also be helpful in the cold of winter.
Water, Food, Blankets, and Extra Clothes for Warmth
In your emergency kit, you should definitely have water, food, and blankets. You can also throw in some extra clothes for warmth if you want.
If you’re going to be stuck in your car for a while, make sure the food doesn't get messy or spill over into other things in your car. Make sure it's packed right, so it doesn't freeze!
Come See Us At The Auto Shop!
The best offense is a good defense, so come see us at The Auto Shop in Jefferson City! We want to ensure everything is in order this holiday season so you can drive safely on our winter roads.
The Auto Shop is located at 612 Missouri Boulevard Court, Jefferson City, MO, 65109. Our shop is the only ASE blue-ribbon certified shop within 100 miles! We have diagnostic equipment in each tech bay, so you don’t have to wait around to get work done. Our business hours are Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover for payments.