DYI Winter Safety Kit for your Car

By now you must know, in Southern Alberta the weather can change drastically. Within in a five minute period we can go from blue skies and sun to a full on blizzard of snow.
We scramble to make sure our vehicles are winter ready, we get the oil change, we put winter tires on, we use winter grade washer fluid. The one thing we forget to do is…
We forget to pack a winter safety kit. With a little guidance, I can help you gather the mere basic necessities to create your own Winter Safety Kit.

Warm Blankets-

A Warm blanket is your best friend on a chilly night, why not add one to your vehicle. If you ever find yourself on the side of the road, or parked at a truck stop. A warm blanket will help keep your body heat in without running your vehicle all night.

Warm Hat and Gloves-

Staying warm is the most important survival tactic when you’re stranded in the winter. It’s always a good idea to have an extra hat or two and a few sets of gloves so you or your passenger’s can keep warm while getting your car out of a ditch, changing a tire or taking a look under the hood.

Hand crank Flashlight-

Yes, a hand crank flashlight. it ‘s one of those do I need one type of items. It totally is one of those type of items that I recommend you carry in your safety kit.

Extra Cell Phone Charger (cigarette lighter type)-

Cell phones are welcome lifelines when your car is stuck, but they’re only effective when they’re charged. So keep a spare cell phone charger in your safety kit to keep your phone charged up.

Notepad and Pen or Pencil-

When you call for a tow, there are likely additional phone numbers that the dispatcher will give you, or if you’re in an accident, you’ll need the other driver’s license and plate number. If your pen isn’t writing, it could be frozen, so warm it up between your hands. Or you can use a trusty pencil.

Jumper Cables-

If you don’t own a pair, I highly suggest you get a pair and add them to your safety kit. You should never count on another motorist to have a set of jumper cables for you to borrow, carry your own. They’re inexpensive and could mean the difference between a helpful motorist helping you get your car started or paying a tow truck to do it. Make sure you also know the right way to jumpstart your car.

Now that you have the basics, Pack it all up. Put everything into a sturdy box or plastic bin and pop it in the trunk or back seat. Hopefully you’ll never need to use it, but you’ll be thankful you have your winter emergency car kit if you do find yourself stranded.