7 Items You Should Put Inside of Your Car Every Winter

The winter months are just ahead, and with them come severe weather such as snow, hail, and ice. Being ill prepared in such conditions is not only inconvenient, but can be quite dangerous. Before the winter months hit you hard, here are 7 items you should put inside of your car every winter. By keeping these items in your car, you can be readily prepared should you find yourself suck in a snowstorm or other severe weather conditions.

1. Kitty litter. You should keep a bag or two of kitty litter in your trunk for several reasons. First, it can add some weight to the back of the car and give you a little more traction on ice. Second, should you find yourself stuck in snow, pour kitty litter under the backs of the tires. It will give the tires something to grip onto and help you get out of the snow.

2. Blankets. Should you become stranded, you will need something to keep you warm. Always keep a few heavy blankets in the car during the winter time. Even better is if you can find the plug in heating blankets that get power from your phone charging outlet. As long as your battery still works, you can use these heat blankets quite easily.

3. Flares. If you slide off the road and end up in deep terrain, you risk people not seeing you. Keep some flares in your car in case of emergency. These can be used as signals for help so others can easily spot you. Also good to carry are road flares, so if you need to pull to the side of the road you can place some of these out so others see you. Flashlights are a great addition as well and should be considered.

4. A first aid kit. A basic first aid kit will come in handy should you find yourself stranded. Make sure it has all of the necessities and some bottles of clean water as well. A basic kit like this can help sustain you until help is able to arrive.

5. Hand warmers. You can find packages of these at the dollar store and they are great in case you get stranded or the heat goes out. They can be used o keep hands and feet warm until you can get help. For just a few bucks, grab a few and keep them in a glove box. Toss in a few match books or lighters as well, so you can start a fire if needed.

6. Ice scrapers. Keep several ice scrapers in your car in case one breaks or goes missing. You never want to be suck without a way to keep windows clear and safe. If you have room, even a small broom in your trunk can help with snow and ice.

7. Some high protein snacks. Should you find yourself stranded, having high protein snacks on hand will help. Pack some nuts, granola, dried fruit, and other high protein snacks to nibble on in case you get stranded or stuck. Don’t let winter arrive without being prepared. Give these 7 items your consideration and see how they can make your vehicle a safer place to be.