Winter Car Kit Essentials

 

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Snowmagedon has hit Kansas City as I’m writing this post.  My husband texted me yesterday to say that Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel was on his way to Kansas City.  Winter weather advisories across the country have got me thinking about things you should carry in your car during the winter months.  My brother got stuck in the horrendous Atlanta traffic jam last week.  He left work at 1:00 p.m. and didn’t get home until around 9:00 a.m. the next day.  He wound up ditching his car and walked the last two miles home.

You never know when a 45 minute commute can turn into hours.  I did a google search on winter car kit essentials.  According to Popular Mechanics , you should already keep an emergency kit in your car which I currently do not.  Some essentials for every day and road trips are:

1. a first-aid kit
2. jumper cables
3. gloves
4. a flashlight
5. duct tape
6. a tow strap
7. simple tools

I have a AAA Roadside Assistance plan.  Does that count?  Some winter specific items are:

1. Snow socks which are fabric doughnuts that fit easily over your drive tires.
2. a spare phone charger- My brother didn’t have one in his car and his phone died which resulted in extra stress for his wife waiting at home.
3. hand warmers and a wool blanket
4. LED flashers/flares
5. food and drink- A few energy bars and bottle or two of a sugary energy drink like Gatorade.  Electrolytes and sugars significantly lower the drinks freezing point.  I would add a few chocolate bars.
6. a shovel
7. windshield de-icer- I have this thanks to my friends Cindy and Bob who picked some up for me.
8. an ice scraper – I added this one and I’m surprised it wasn’t on the list.

After reviewing the list, I realized I’d be in trouble if I ever got stuck in a snowstorm.  I would have soft hands and lips from my lotion and lip balm which I always keep in my car and kleenex for a runny nose. I also have my AAA card for roadside assistance.  It’s a good thing I avoid driving when the weather is bad.  However, sometimes it’s hard to predict what mother nature will do.

Is your car equipped with winter car kit essentials?

FYI: This isn’t a sponsored post by AAA.  However, I do have a friend that works for them if you are local and need an agent.  If I’m ever asked to write a sponsored post by a company I’ll disclose that information.