How to pack a winter emergency car kit, according to the NWS and DOT
We rounded up 44 items you may have never considered
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Using guidance from reputable agencies like the National Weather Service, FEMA, the American Red Cross and state and local departments of transportation, we selected emergency kits based on the following criteria:
Supplies included: All of the above organizations suggest some variation of a winter car emergency kit that includes the following:
Top-rated: We only selected pre-made kits with at least a four-star rating from major retailers like Amazon.
Our top picks have many of the supplies recommended by agencies like FEMA and the American Red Cross. You can supplement them with supplies of your own and find additional supplies in the kit supplies section.
This is a great starter kit to supplement with your own supplies: it includes many of the items recommended by the agencies we mentioned above, including a first aid kit, ice scraper, and a few winter clothing items. It is light on car equipment, however, so you’ll want to add items like a jump starter or jumper cables, a tow rope and a tire inflator ASAP.
This car emergency kit isn’t specific to winter conditions, so you’ll want to supplement it with cold-weather supplies. It includes a large first aid kit as well as many recommended car emergency supplies like reflective warning triangles and jumper cables. It also comes with a digital air compressor that can inflate standard tires in a few seconds, according to the brand. You can read a full list of the included supplies on Everlit Survival’s website.
Almost all pre-made kits are missing a few items, so it’s important to supplement them with tools and supplies depending on your needs. You may also prefer to build your own winter emergency car kit from scratch — you probably already have many of the items recommended by expert agencies. Below are highly rated winter emergency car kit supplies for you and your vehicle.
Any first aid kit should include a variety of supplies for treating wounds and injuries. It’s important to add items like medications and emergency contacts, according to the American Red Cross.
Water can be tricky to store in winter conditions — it may freeze if stored in the trunk or a flatbed, so we recommend storing it in the backseat or somewhere else in your vehicle’s main cabin, if possible.
A flashlight is a critical tool, especially if it’s dark out and you need to troubleshoot your vehicle. We include emergency flashlights and headlamps, which can keep your hands free.
Multiple agencies recommend keeping cell phone chargers and spare road maps as part of your emergency car kit.
Most flashlights are powered by disposable AA or AAA batteries. A portable power bank is also good to have for keeping your phone charged.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation recommends high-calorie, non-perishable foods like dried fruits and nuts and canned foods. If you need to sleep in your car, Vision Zero North Dakota recommends eating a snack of high-calorie food just before sleeping to stimulate your metabolism and heat production (a common practice in cold-weather camping).
Blankets, mittens, boots and warm clothes can all help keep you warm if you need to stay put during a roadside winter emergency.
Being able to jump-start your vehicle on your own or with the help of another vehicle is a critical part of any car kit.
Tire chains can give you more traction, especially on unpaved roads with snowy or icy conditions.
Having everything you need to repair a flat tire on the road can help prevent a winter roadside emergency before it happens.
Spare gas can mean the difference between being stranded and getting to your destination without incident.
Having tools to combat snow and ice is essential for winter emergencies — both can get your car stuck and block visibility in your windshield.
Repairing potential issues with your car is a lot safer the more visible you are to other vehicles. Tools like LED beacons and reflective triangles can help.
A tow rope can help get your car unstuck from snowy or icy conditions, with the assistance of another vehicle, of course.
Sand, road salt and (surprisingly) kitty litter can give your tires added traction if you are trying to get your vehicle out of being stuck in place.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness, including stories on smartwatches, running shoes, wireless earbuds and more. I also cover home and health tools like air purifiers, air conditioners and blood pressure monitors. For this piece, I researched winter emergency car preparation guidelines from reputable government and local agencies to put together a list of recommended items.
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