What Items Should I Keep in My Car During the Winter Months?
December 15, 2020
Winter can be harsh in the northeastern part of the country. Sleet, snow, and freezing rain can cause havoc on any commute, causing serious car accidents. Since weather in the winter months is unpredictable, it is imperative to have a winter emergency kit in every owned vehicle.
The following contains several suggestions of what to pack into a car emergency kit for the wintertime. It is preferable to have this kit ready to go and kept in the car before the winter starts.
Food and Water
Food and water must be included in a survival kit. If a car breaks down in winter, it is quite possible to be stuck in the vehicle for several hours or even days, so bottled water is recommended. It is also recommended to have at least 3.5 liters of water per person. Some may believe that water would not be necessary because they may be surrounded by snow, but this is false; snow can actually dehydrate a person or lead to hypothermia. The body needs hydration to operate properly and to regulate body temperature, especially when it gets cold.
Food should be canned or have a good shelf life, such as a granola bar. Items that need to be cooked are not recommended. Any amount of fuel should be used for keeping warm, not for cooking food.
Clothing and Blankets
During an emergency, it is possible that one might have to go outside of their car, such as replacing a flat tire or digging out their car. This results in subjecting the body to wet and freezing conditions, so having an extra set of warm clothes is necessary to have in an emergency car kit, including extra socks and boots.
Extra clothing also means having something for emergencies, like reflective clothing; this allows one to be visible to other drivers, especially in a snowstorm. It is also recommended to have a tarp in an emergency kit as well. Having a tarp can provide warmth, can be used outside of a vehicle to alert other drivers, and driver can kneel on a tarp if they need to change a tire or go under a car.
Warm blankets should be included in an emergency kit too. Temperatures drop quickly in the winter months, especially overnight. If a person is stuck on the highway for several hours, they would have to preserve as much fuel as possible, so leaving the car running is not plausible.
Essential Emergency Items
The winter emergency car kit should be filled with these essentials:
- Battery jump pack and jumper cables
- Flashlights with replacement batteries
- First-aid kit
- Shovel
- Sand, kitty-litter, or salt
- Snow brush and ice scraper
- Spare tire with spare tools
- Tire gauge or an air compressor
- Multi-purpose knife
- Flares, lighters, and matches
It is always a good idea to have emergency contact information in the vehicle and in a wallet or purse. The winter season can cause problems for drivers. Even being prepared and fully focused may not prevent a car accident. If a car accident occurs, a victim should speak to a lawyer when it is possible to do so.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Help Victims Injured by Negligent Drivers During the Winter Season
If you were recently involved in a car accident, contact one of our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. right away. Our experienced and knowledgeable legal team will help you with your case. Call us at 215-569-9100 or complete our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.