Most families have a plan for a winter storm at home. Fewer have one for the car, even though the drive is often where a storm turns dangerous.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration counts 365 fatal crashes and an estimated 24,383 injury crashes in 2024 that happened during snow or sleet. Police reported about 131,698 crashes in those conditions that year. The agency says preparing yourself and your vehicle is key to staying safe this winter, and the time to do it is before the first storm.
The kit that rides in the trunk
NHTSA recommends a short list of supplies for every vehicle in winter. Start with snow removal: a shovel, a broom and an ice scraper. Add something for traction, such as sand or cat litter, in case you get stuck.
For safety, carry jumper cables, a flashlight and warning devices like flares or reflective markers. NHTSA also recommends a first aid kit that includes a tourniquet, along with any medicines family members need.
For comfort and survival, pack blankets, bottled water and nonperishable food. Ready.gov, the federal preparedness site, adds warm clothes to that list. Keep a cell phone and a car charger in the vehicle.
A plastic storage bin keeps all of it together and stops it sliding around. Check it each fall, replace water and snacks, and swap in fresh batteries for the flashlight.
Get the car itself ready
Cold weather drains batteries, so NHTSA suggests having a mechanic check the battery, charging system and belts. Electric and hybrid vehicles can lose range in the cold, and plugging them in overnight helps keep the battery warm.
Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall. Fill tires to the pressure on the label inside the driver’s door frame, not the maximum number printed on the tire. Use the penny test on tread: put a penny in the groove with Lincoln’s head upside down, and if you can see the top of his head, it is time for new tires.
Fill the washer reservoir with winter fluid that has de-icer, replace worn wiper blades, test the defroster, and check the lights. Keep the gas tank close to full whenever you can.
Parents should know that heavy coats can keep a car seat harness from fitting snugly. NHTSA advises dressing children in thin, warm layers and tucking a blanket or coat over them after the harness is secure.
If you get stuck
Ready.gov’s advice is to stay off the roads if you can. If you are trapped in your car, stay inside it.
NHTSA says to stay with the vehicle and avoid overexerting yourself. Make the car easy to spot by tying something bright to the antenna or window and leaving the dome light on.
Carbon monoxide is a serious risk. Clear snow away from the exhaust pipe and run the engine only long enough to stay warm, never for long stretches with the windows up.
Watch for signs of cold injury. Ready.gov lists numbness and white or grayish-yellow, firm or waxy skin as signs of frostbite, and shivering, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness as signs of hypothermia. A body temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
Before any winter trip, check the weather and tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive. A trunk kit takes an afternoon to put together, and it can keep your family warm and safe until help comes.