Many of us have been there. It’s the first big storm of the year, your car breaks down at arguably the most inconvenient time, you go in your back seat and you have nothing that could prepare you for a moment like this. 

If you haven’t experienced this before, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. For those who have, you know it’s a must to have a winter emergency car kit to get you through. Even if you don’t use it, you can have the peace of mind you need to know you’re prepared in the event of a winter emergency! We’ve got you covered with 7 things you should have in your car this winter, along with some good-to-have car essentials for all year round.

Blanket

Kind of like how your parents always told you to not leave the house without a jacket in the winter, we’re here to tell you that you also shouldn’t leave the house in the winter without a blanket in the trunk. Whether you go the wool route or opt for one of the run-of-the mill blankets included in many emergency kits, it’s always good to have one on hand if you live in a colder climate. In case your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, your heat stops working or any other emergency occurs, staying warm is one of the first priorities.

First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit with over-the-counter medication is essential in any winter emergency car kit. Some prefer readymade first-aid kits, like the Welly Travel Remedy Kit, which includes motion sickness, pain relief, gas relief, anti-diarrheal and sleep aid medicines, or even the Welly First Aid Travel Kit, which includes bandages, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone and hand sanitizer. 

If you want to DIY a first-aid kit, be sure to include injury needs like bandages, Neosporin and hand sanitizer, as well as over-the-counter needs like Tylenol and Advil Cold and Flu, which can come in handy if you’re feeling under the weather while on the road. You never know when you might need it!

Car Brush and Scraper

You can never quite predict when you’ll get a layer of snow, or worse—ice—on your car. While a car brush and scraper may seem like a no-brainer, there’s nothing worse than forgetting something like that at home. Your credit card can double as a scraper and your sleeve can double as a brush, but don’t let yourself get in a pickle like that! Have one for home and keep another in your car in case of emergencies.

Shovel

Say you get plowed in when you’re parked on the street, or get yourself a little stuck while on the road—you might need to dig yourself out of a sticky—or in this case, snowy—situation. It’s always great to have an emergency shovel in the back for when the four-wheel drive just doesn’t cut it. This one even extends so you can make it more compact to fit in your trunk.

Snacks

If you’re broken down on the side of the road, you may not know how long it’ll be until help is on the way. You also might get a little hungry on a road trip with no rest stop in sight. No matter the reason, it’s always a good idea to keep some snacks in your emergency kit that will stay fresh for months and give you some energy when you most need it. Snacks like Clif Bars or Planters Peanuts are great options for energy-packed snacks that can fill you up and hold you over until you’re back home.

Booster Cables

When it comes to the winter and colder temperatures, your car is much more likely to experience battery problems. The cold weather makes it harder for car batteries to hold their charge, which means you could run into trouble starting your car in the winter months. Having a set of booster cables can revive your car if it’s not starting. All you’ll need is someone else’s car to hook up, or a working battery with the same voltage as your car.

Wiper Fluid

One thing we all know about the winter is that it gets messy. With all the slush and road salt coming up from your wheels, it’s hard to keep your windshield clean. It’s important to always have extra wiper fluid in case you run out so you’re not driving with a dirty windshield. Peak Windshield Wash is a great option because it’s made with a Deicer formula that keeps your windshield from icing over. It works in temperatures as low as -20 degrees, which is perfect for the colder months!

There are some things you should always keep in your car, like a USB car charger (this one comes with a window breaker for emergencies). It’s important to always be mindful of road conditions to keep yourself safe in the winter. If you don’t have to leave the house on a bad day, or if you just don’t want to, then stay put! Gopuff can bring you everything you need so you don’t need to make a snack run, toilet paper run, beer run or whatever-else-you-forgot-to-pick-up-before-a-storm-hits run.

Do you have the Gopuff app yet? Download it from the Apple Store or Google Play to make ordering even easier. 

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