After you’ve gone over the above tips, the next most important thing for you to do is stay in your car and stay warm. Accidents and emergencies tend to increase in snowy, cold, and icy conditions, causing a potential delay in roadside assistance response time. As long as you have your winter car kit essentials ready, you should be well-prepared as you wait for help from a friend or tow company like AAA.
Winter Car Kit Essential #1: Cell Phone Charge
We can safely assume that most folks, especially our Minnesota Realtors®, have a phone. Making sure it remains charged while you wait for roadside assistance is one of the most practice steps you can take if you ever encounter a winter car emergency. That’s why, our number one winter car kit essential is a cell phone car charger. Most gas stations or grocery stores will carry one of these.
Winter Car Kit Essential #2: First-Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to keep a first-aid kit in your car, regardless of what season it is! Having this little kit will help you prepare for any situation. If you are someone who may require extra medical items (such as an inhaler, special medications, or other) in an emergency, it’s a good idea to add extra quantities of those items to the first-aid kit.
Winter Car Essential #3: Warm Blanket, Hats, and Gloves
Next up for your winter car kit essentials—time to grab your extra gloves, hats, and blankets. As we mentioned earlier, you don’t want to waste gas if you ever find yourself in a winter emergency. You should take turns running the engine for as long as it’s needed to keep the car warm and then cozying up with your blanket, hats, and gloves.
This strategy will help you maximize your gas and energy while you wait for help.
Winter Car Essential #4: Water and Snacks
We’ve covered that it can often take some time for roadside assistance to get to you in a winter emergency due to the increased number of calls coming in and others needing assistance.
There’s a chance that, when you find yourself in one of these situations, it could have been a few hours since you’ve eaten, and it may take even longer before help arrives. That’s why it is important to pack some water and snacks in your winter car essentials kit. Non-perishable foods for travelers and pets could save you when you’re in a pinch.
Winter Car Essential #5: Flashlight with Extra Batteries
It might be a small addition, but it’s never a bad idea to carry an extra flashlight and batteries in your winter car kit. If your car's battery drains, you could potentially use the flashlight to signal for help or alert other drivers on the road that your car is stopped.
Winter Car Essential #6: Traction Aid
Sometimes you might be able to get your car unstuck on your own in a situation. Adding some traction aid to your winter car kit essentials (sand, non-clumping cat litter, or some traction mats) could mean you don’t even have to wait or use what's in the rest of your kit.
If your car is stuck, you can spread some of the traction aid or put it under your tires to help you get out of snow or ice!
Winter Car Essential #7: Shovel and Ice Scraper or Snow Brush
Before you spread traction aid around your tires, having a car shovel can help you get the bulk of the snow from around the tire out. This could help you get out without using a traction aid or will help make the use of that aid more efficient.
Winter Car Essential #8: Reflective or Warning Triangles
Being stopped on the side of the road puts you in a precarious position. You can never count on other drivers to pay attention—but you can help! Keeping reflective or warning triangles gives you an extra layer of visibility along with your hazards. If you find yourself stuck, it is a good idea to place these items in a diagonal line leading to the back of your car.