Even the most well maintained car can get stranded in deep snow or inclement weather. Prepare for the worst with an emergency kit. Some items you may want to include in your emergency kit are:
- Cell phone (Even if you don’t normally carry one. Not only can you call for help, the signal may also be used to locate you.)
- Blankets
- First aid kit
- Windshield scraper
- Jumper cables
- Safety goggles
- Small shovel
- Bag of sand or cat litter for traction
- Tool kit
- Tow rope
- Can of Fix-a-Flat
- Waterproof matches
- Highway flares
- Brightly colored cloth or a “HELP” sign
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Bottled water (beats melting snow with the matches)
- Energy bars (hey, if you’re really stuck you’ll need to eat)
- Tire chains (in areas prone to heavy snow)
Many of these items may seem like overkill, but they could make a difference if you were stranded for a prolonged period.