Keep a charged phone and charger, basic first aid, a flashlight, warning devices, water, food, needed medicine, warm coverings, and vehicle-appropriate tire and jump-start supplies in your car. Add snow-clearing and traction items in winter. If your car stalls in dangerous conditions, prioritize visibility and personal safety over attempting a roadside repair.
What belongs in a year-round car emergency kit?
NHTSA’s summer and road-trip checklist is a practical starting point. Organize supplies so you can reach them without unpacking the trunk, and secure heavy items so they do not become hazards if the car stops suddenly.
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- Communication: A charged cell phone and charger. NHTSA says a phone lets you call for help when and where you need it (Driving in Severe Weather).
- First aid and personal needs: A first-aid kit, necessary medicines, a change of clothes, and work gloves.
- Light and visibility: A flashlight, flares or other warning markers, and a white flag.
- Water and food: Drinking water, nonperishable food, and paper towels.
- Warmth and comfort: Emergency blankets, towels, and coats.
- Basic vehicle supplies: Jumper cables, a tire-pressure gauge, basic repair tools, duct tape, and extra windshield-washer fluid.
- Tire-changing equipment: A jack and ground mat only if they are suitable for your vehicle and you know how to use them safely.
- Navigation: Maps as a backup if your phone or its signal is unavailable.
A kit cannot make every roadside repair safe. If traffic, weather, the roadside location, or your ability to do the work makes a tire change or repair risky, stay clear of traffic and call for help.
What should you add for winter?
Cold-weather delays create risks that a basic kit may not address. NHTSA recommends adding snow-clearing tools, traction material, and extra warmth (Winter Weather Driving Tips).
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- Snow shovel and broom
- Ice scraper
- Sand or kitty litter for traction
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Phone and charger, flashlight, warning devices, water, food, and necessary medicine
For electric and hybrid vehicles, NHTSA advises keeping the battery charged and minimizing battery drain in cold conditions. In winter generally, it recommends keeping the fuel tank close to full whenever possible.
What to do if your car is stranded in winter weather
- Stay with the vehicle. NHTSA advises against leaving the car in winter conditions and against overexertion.
- Make the car visible. Use bright warning markers and turn on the interior dome light.
- Check the exhaust. Clear snow away from the exhaust pipe before running the engine.
- Use the engine sparingly for warmth. Run it only briefly when needed. Do not leave the vehicle running for long periods with the windows up, and never run it in an enclosed space: carbon monoxide can build up.
NHTSA reports that in 2023 there were 320 fatal traffic crashes and an estimated 22,293 injury crashes when snow or sleet was present at the time of the crash. These are crash counts under those conditions, not evidence that any particular emergency kit prevents crashes.
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How to prepare before you leave
Before a trip, check weather, traffic, and road conditions, and plan your route. NHTSA calls a charged cell phone the top suggested item for severe weather because it allows you to call for help (Driving in Severe Weather). Make sure the charger works with your phone and vehicle, and place the phone where you can reach it safely.
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How much should you pack?
NHTSA’s guidance identifies useful categories but does not prescribe one universally sufficient kit or quantities for every trip. Adjust water, food, medication, and warm clothing to the number of passengers, trip length, weather, and distance from services. Keep essential medicines in a place you can reach, and replace expired or depleted supplies.
Quick Recap
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