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. Adding some key items to your regular emergency kit will help keep you safe and warm when your route takes you through cold climates.
Remember these 5 tips to remember what to pack:
1. Keep Warm
Bring a thermal blanket to stay warm in your vehicle and an insulated sleeping bag in case 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 can 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.
2. Tires Need Grip
Though you can’t avoid ice and snow in winter, you can make it easier to drive in them. 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 and are also much lighter in your vehicle.
Kitty litter, a bag of salt, or even a simple shovel can help get your vehicle out of packed snow.
Pro tip: When parking for the night in snowy conditions, the heat from your tires can melt the snow enough to create ice, making getting out in the morning very difficult. Instead of going straight to sleep after you turn the truck off, wait 30 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.
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 draining your battery and causing stalling. If your vehicle does stall, booster cables will help you get back on track.
Bring extra washer fluid to clear off the dirty road spray that often coats 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.
4. Clear the Snow
Keeping your vehicle clear of snow is not only a best practice for safety, but is required in many states. Carry a lightweight roof rake to remove snow from the roof of your vehicle. 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.
5. Have Extra
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:
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.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in October 2018 and has been updated for continued relevance.
