7 Things You Should Have in Your Car This Winter

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When not going on a long trip, how often do you think to pack your car for emergencies? If you’re always just running to the grocery store, or here and there, would you ever think to be prepared?

For myself, a trip to the grocery store can be as far as 45 minutes one way. So every trip I take I need to carefully plan each trip. Because I know if I was to go off the road, especially in a blizzard, it would be hours before someone could tow me out.

So today, I am sharing 7 unusual things that I think you should have in your car this winter.

1 | Car Shovel

I don’t know about you, but in Vermont, we definitely need a shovel in case of an emergency. Not only can you get yourself out of a bad situation, but you would have the ability to help someone else if the need arose. I do make sure this is stowed under a seat in the cab of my truck. Because I never know if in an emergency I would be able to get to the trunk of the car or bed of my truck.

2 | Cat Litter

Surprising as this may seem, cat litter, if you live in a snowy climate, can be extraordinarily useful. If stuck, once you’ve used your handy dandy shovel to clear out around your tires. If you’re still unable to get out, then you can use the cat litter to sprinkle around your tires to get yourself out of an icy situation. You don’t need the whole bucket of litter with you but taking maybe a gallon bag with you and tucking it in a container under a seat would do wonders in an emergency.

3 | Whistle and Flashing Light (Battery)

If you’re ever trapped, especially at night, a flashlight and a whistle can be an immense help when hoping to be found. Not only that, but if you’ve dropped the baby’s binky under the seat, where the overhead light doesn’t reach, a flashlight is always very helpful! I keep one of these and a window breaker/seatbelt cutter in the drivers side door pocket at all times, just in case!

4 | Extra Clothes

No matter what season it is, or how old you are, I am a firm believer in having an extra set of clothes. You never know what could happen when you’re out and about. And if you’re like me, and live far from town, then having an extra set of clothes when out and about is critical. I usually grab some cheap, but nice looking items from the thrift store, throw each outfit in a plastic bag and keep them in the trunk or under a seat. Cheap, and efficient.

5 | Space Blanket

Space blankets are really useful in emergency situations or even if you have a cold child stuck on the sidelines at a soccer game. They’re light, take up no space, and are cheap. You can even get them at the dollar tree! You can keep these in a glove box, or in your first aid kit, whatever works for you.

6 | Cards

This is one that most people wouldn’t think of, but how easy would it be, if you’re at the grocery store and you get a call from church saying one of the ladies’ from church is sick and could you pop on over and drop off a meal. And now, with that meal, and a pen from your purse, you can grab a blank card and write an encouraging note for her when you drop that off.

As weird as it sounds I’ve used cards like this in my car for years. From funerals, to birthdays, I may have completely forgotten to grab one from home but always saved myself in the end by stashing them in my car.

7 | Blessing Bags

Many of you may not know what a blessing bag is, but it’s simply a gallon zip lock bag filled with things that may bless someone. Usually these are given to the homeless who are standing with their signs on the corner. Because often, I don’t have a lot of cash on me, but I can easily make a bunch of these blessing bags with items from Walmart or the Dollar Tree that can be useful for anyone.