
Preparing for an emergency can help keep you calm in the event of a hazardous situation.
If you’re heading out in your car in the winter — even if you’re only going a few blocks — you should take care to pack the right items in your vehicle. A “trip to the store” in your house slippers and a light sweatshirt could turn ugly if your battery dies in the parking lot and you have to walk home in the snow.
Always keep in your vehicle during the winter:
- Window ice scraper and/or brush
- Warm hat and gloves
- Warm jacket and footwear
- Emergency numbers, phone chargers and your roadside assistance information
- Jumper cables, extra headlight bulbs, extra oil or car fluids
- Tire pressure gauge and portable flat-fixing kit
- Basic first-aid kit
- Basic tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, pocket knife, adjustable wrench, etc.)
On longer trips, consider also adding:
- A collapsible snow shovel
- Thermal emergency blankets
- Emergency hand and foot heat packs
- Extra socks, gloves, hats, etc.
- Some fresh food and water (watch for cracks if water bottles freeze, and avoid rodents finding your stash of granola bars with careful storage and regular clean outs)
- Flares and emergency roadside supplies like flags, flashlights and matches