Winter vehicle readiness
Oh the weather outside is frightful….
Having my vehicle all ready for icky weather makes me feel a little better about it when I start seeing the temps in the forecast drop and start receiving those winter weather advisories on my phone.
Below is a list of the items that I suggest keeping in your car for those “what if” scenarios.
Portable jump pack – This was an investment this summer and I have been so happy with it! Make sure it’s fully charged, and it can be used to jump-start a dead battery, put air in a low tire, charge a cell phone or two, or even use it as a flashlight. Mine even came in a little bag that tells you how to use it.
Halo Bolt Air 58830 mWh Portable Emergency Power Kit with Tire Pump, 4 Interchangeable Air Nozzles, Extra Accessory Kit, Car Jump Starter, and Car Charger – Black Graphite
If you prefer, you could instead keep a set of good jumper cables and flashlights in the car.
Warm blanket – keep a blanket in your car in the event that you get stuck and it will be a while for emergency responders to arrive. This will help keep you warm-ish while you wait.
Kitty litter or something to give traction – If you have a slide-off on ice, putting down some pea gravel or kitty litter on the road will help with a little traction as you are trying to get back on your way. As a bonus, a bag of kitty litter in the trunk can also help give some weight to the rear of your vehicle, which can be beneficial in icy conditions.
Snacks – I suggest keeping a few snacks in the car that won’t freeze in the cold. A few suggestions might include pretzels, dry cereal, peanut butter, crackers, or applesauce. You could keep them in a gallon ziplock bag to keep track of them and lock in any of the “smells” so they don’t attract critters. It’s also a good idea to keep some bottled water in the vehicle.
Good ice scraper – Invest in a good ice scraper. We got ours at Costco for $20 (I saw Sam’s has it as well!) and it’s extendable with a scraper, a brush, and a squeegee. I hate having to use it, but I’m also very proud of it each time I do have to get it out of the trunk.
Hot hands – keep a couple of packs of these in the car. You can usually get them for around $1 a pack, and they will help keep you warm in an emergency.
Shovel – get a small or collapsible shovel to keep in the trunk.
Gloves and a hat – Keep an extra set of gloves & a hat in your kit in the event that you forget your own and need something to keep you warm while you clear the car of snow.
Rope or chain – in the event that you might need to be pulled out of a ditch, keep a rope with you in the car.
Cell phone cords and power adapter – I cannot stress enough how important this is! Aside from keeping your phone juiced up on the road, it’s also very important if you lose power at home, so you can charge your phone in the car to stay in touch with others and to stay up to date on important information, like power restoration.
Once you have these items together, it’s best to keep them in a bin, box, or container in the trunk or back seat. Think of them like a little insurance policy – hope you never need them, but be glad you have them.
If you have a newer driver in the family and you are looking for some Christmas gift ideas for them, maybe consider making them a car readiness crate!
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