The extreme temperatures and weather conditions of the winter increase your chances of having a car emergency.
The only way you are going to be able to comfortably survive a winter
car emergency is by properly stocking your car with the right supplies.
These are the seven things every must have in their trunk to survive a
winter car emergency.
Blankets
You might be stranded for long time before help arrives, so you need something to keep you warm while you wait. Sitting on the side of the road is bad enough, so you do not want to make it worse by freezing at the same time. Fleece fabric blankets will provide the best comfort in the cold temperatures.
Non-perishable Food
Since you do not know how long you may
have to wait after a winter car emergency, it is a good idea to have
some food in your trunk. Non-perishable items like granola bars and beef
jerky are perfect survival emergency foods. Their long shelf life allows you to store them in your trunk for several years. They are also great sources of protein, so your hunger pains should go away fairly quickly.
Jumper Cables
It is not uncommon for a car battery to
need an extra jump to start in extremely cold temperatures. If you do
not have jumper cables in your car, then you will have to wait until you
find someone else willing to help. Keeping jumper cables will let you
get back on the road in minutes after suffering a dead battery.
Extra Clothes
While you will most likely be dressed for
the cold weather, it is still a good idea to have some extra clothes in
the car this winter. If you are forced to work on the car in the snow,
then there is a very good chance that your clothes will get wet. Wearing
wet clothes in cold weather is a great way to get frost bite or
hypothermia. Quickly changing into the spare clothes will keep you warm
until you get back home. You can also put the extra clothes on over your
current outfit to provide even more warmth.
Bag of Sand
This may seem like an odd choice, but
there are several ways a bag of sand can come in handy in the winter. A
bag of sand in the trunk will help you all winter, and it can even help
you prevent a car emergency before it happens. A bag of sand in the
trunk provides extra weight to the car. This extra weight gives your
tires more traction on the slippery winter roads, so you will be able to
handle your car much easier. If you do get stuck in a snow bank on the
side of the road, then you spread some of the sand under your tires for
extra traction. This extra traction provided by the sand may be the only
way you are able to get out of a snow bank without the help of a tow
truck.
Flashlight
A flashlight should be kept in the car no
matter the time of year. It can be nearly impossible to work on your
car at night if you do not have a flashlight. You can also attract the
help of other drivers using the flashlight. Make sure to check the
batteries every few months to guarantee your flashlight works when you
need it the most.
First Aid Kit
Driving on ice or snow greatly increases
your risk of getting in an accident, and injuries can occur in almost
any accident. Keeping a first aid kit in the car will allow you to
attend to the injury until professional help arrives. If you use
anything in the first aid kit, then you need to make sure it is replaced
the next day.