12 winter car essentials that may save your life

Traveling in the winter can bring some unexpected emergencies, especially when dealing with the snow and cold. Sleet and snow can make it hard to control your vehicle on icy roadways and lower visibility. It’s why 17% of car accidents occur during inclement winter weather. Low visibility, impassable roads and frigid temperatures could also threaten to leave drivers stranded on the roadside.

While it is better to avoid driving in severe winter weather if you can, drivers should be prepared if they can’t avoid it. These 12 winter car essentials can help you build an emergency kit in case you get stuck in nasty winter weather. 

Original price: $49.99

For an all-in-one kit, opt for this Vetoos roadside emergency car kit. The kit includes most practical supplies, like jumper cables, a reflective triangle and vest, a tow rope, a hand-driven flashlight and a tire pressure gauge. It also includes rarely used but necessary items: a safety hammer, an emergency blanket, a survival whistle and a 47-piece first aid kit. 

The items in this kit will maximize your safety during a breakdown or an accident. You can also find a similar roadside emergency kit from Walmart. 

Make sure your items are delivered on time before nasty weather hits by signing up for a Prime membership. The benefits include fast, free delivery, access to invite-only deals and the option to Buy With Prime. Most purchases can be delivered to your door in 24 hours if you’re an Amazon Prime member. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your holiday shopping today.

The Reliancer two-piece traction tracks mats from Amazon roll up conveniently and can support vehicles that weigh up to seven tons. It helps you get unstuck whether you’re on ice, snow or mud. Walmart also has a pair of traction mats that easily roll up when you’re not using them.

Original price: $32.99

Toss in this heated car blanket from Amazon that plugs into your vehicle’s 12-volt socket, and the long cord (96 inches) makes it suitable for back-seat passengers, too. You can also get a pack of two heated car blankets from Home Depot. 

This set of LED rescue lights features a 20-hour run time on the steady mode and a 60-hour run time on flash mode. With 360-degree visibility from up to two miles away, they will keep you visible in blinding snow. Walmart also has durable LED safety flares that are waterproof and crushproof, giving you a true sense of safety when you need it. 

Just having jumper cables may not be enough if you get stranded somewhere isolated. This portable car jump starter can jump start your vehicle 30 times with 1600 amps of peak current and heavy-duty clamps and cables. It is powerful yet compact enough to store in your glovebox.

You’ll also find a similar portable car jump starter at Walmart, currently on sale. It’s small and compact, so you can store it anywhere in your vehicle. 

Store these hand super warmers from Amazon in your car. They’ll warm your hands and feet for up to 18 hours, so you can stay warm if you need to wait for AAA on the side of the road. You can also grab a 10-pack of hand warmers from Walmart. 

Original price: $84.99

You never know how long it will take to be rescued. The READY WISE entrée grab and go bucket will keep you nourished and is easy to store. The food is freeze-dried, dehydrated and ready in minutes when you add water. 

If you want an even larger store of food, just in case, you can get a grab and go bucket from Walmart that’s 120 servings. 

Original price: $15.99

Get a sturdy ice scraper and snow brush with a snow brush and detachable ice scraper. The ice scrapper is detachable to make it easier to use. When you need to reach the very top of your car, an extendable snow brush like this one from Home Depot can help you easily pull the snow off. It extends up to 45 inches, so it should be optimal for most car models. 

Make sure your glove compartment has a GearLight LED flashlight. This powerful flashlight has five modes and a zoomable beam, making it ideal for outdoor use. You can also stash flashlights all over your car and home for added security when you get this eight-pack of mini LED flashlights from Home Depot. 

Original price: $20

Keep your trunk stocked with emergency water packets from Amazon or Walmart. The packet includes enough water for three days and is packaged to resist inhospitable conditions.

This RHINO USA recovery tow strap from Amazon could make all the difference in an emergency. The strap is a three-inch by 20-ft tow strap that has a lab-tested 31,518-pound break strength. It has triple-reinforced loop ends and is designed for off-road use. You can head to the RHINO USA website to find other tow strap options. 

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Original price: $13.39

Fix-a-Flat is designed to seal small tread tire punctures up to 1/4 of an inch in diameter in seconds and provide enough inflation to lift the rim off the ground. It injects a mix of sealant and air to inflate your tire. Grab a can from Amazon or Walmart.