Winter emergency kit: 5 essential tips to keep you safe this winter
December 18, 2024
Delays and breakdowns on the highway can be difficult in any weather, but in winter they can be life-threatening. Reduced visibility in bad conditions means you’re more likely to encounter a collision, causing damage and delays or trapping you in your vehicle for hours, even overnight. And when you’re stuck in the cold, frostbite and hypothermia can set in quickly.
According to the US Department of Transportation, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, so there’s good reason to prepare yourself when you’re facing these conditions. Adding some key items to your regular emergency kit will go a long way to keeping you safe and warm when your route takes you through cold climates. Use these 5 tips to remember what to pack:
- Keep warm
- Get a grip
- Consider the equipment
- Keep it clear
- More is better
Keep Warm
Bring a thermal blanket to stay warm in your vehicle and an insulated sleeping bag if you’re delayed overnight. Wear a waterproof coat and boots, and pack your emergency kit with a hat scarf, gloves, warm socks and extras in case they get wet. Wet clothing chills the body rapidly and can quickly lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Hand warmers are small and easy to pack and will protect your hands from the cold when you’re working outside. A candle in a tin can and matches can be used for both heat and light.
Get a Grip
Though you can’t avoid ice and snow in winter you can make them easier to drive in. Carry a set of snow socks in your emergency kit for when the roads get icy and slick. Socks are easier to install than snow chains because they slip over your tires. They are also much lighter in your vehicle.
Other traction devices like kitty litter, a bag of salt or even a simple shovel can help get your vehicle out of packed snow when you’ve parked in a lot that hasn’t been cleared.
Pro tip: When parking for the night in snowy conditions, the heat from your tires can melt the snow enough to turn it to ice overnight, making getting out in the morning very difficult. Instead of going straight to sleep after you turn the truck off, wait thirty minutes and then roll your vehicle forward about 2 feet. Put some ice melter or kitty litter in the tracks of your drive tires, and then roll it back. In the morning you’ll be good to go.
Consider the Equipment
Take steps to protect your vehicle from the elements to ensure it operates properly in the cold and stays clean and dry no matter how harsh the conditions. Carry a battery blanket in your emergency kit to prevent cold weather from sapping power and causing starting issues for your truck. If your vehicle stalls, booster cables will help you get back on track. Who knows? You may be able to get someone else out of a jam, too.
Bring extra washer fluid to clear off the dirty road spray that seems to constantly coat your windshield in winter. To keep your fuel from gelling, use anti-gel additives, which drop the freezing point of diesel fuel so that it is less likely to freeze in cold temperatures. Check with your carrier about the best additives for your vehicle.
Keep it Clear
Keeping your vehicle clear of snow is not only a best practice for safety but is required in many states and provinces. Carry a lightweight roof rake to remove snow from the roof of your vehicle when you run into a storm or can’t get to a snow removal machine at a truck stop. To make sure you can see and be seen on the road, pack your emergency kit with paper towels to clear snow off your mirrors, glass and lights and an ice scraper to see clearly on frostier days.
More is Better
Because you may experience both more and longer delays in winter, stock up on extras of items you already have but that you may need more of if you get stuck or stranded. These might include:
- Extra snacks, including non-perishable food items such as canned, dehydrated or freeze-dried foods
- Extra water, either gallon jugs or water bottles
- Extra medication, including personal prescriptions
- Extra road flares, beyond the minimum requirements
- Extra flashlight and batteries in case they get wet or run out
Don’t let the challenges of winter driving keep you off the road in bad weather. With a bit of planning and a well-stocked emergency kit, you can stay safe in the cold and keep your vehicle running smoothly even in the harshest conditions.