What To Have In Your Car to Survive Idaho Winter

Hard as it is to believe it still isn't winter yet, despite the snow, ice, and cold temperatures that the Magic Valley has already experienced. The snow and cold caught many by surprise and some may not have been prepared for it the way they would have liked. When it comes to surviving winter in Idaho, there are a few things that need to be done, but one of the most important is making sure your car is prepared for winter. No, not having snow tires or your wipers replaced, which both are important, but having a kit in your car in case of being snowed in, sliding off the road, or getting stuck at some point this winter. What should you have a winter kit in your car, and how should you prepare for more snow and ice coming later this year in the Magic Valley?

Preparing a Car Winter Kit in Idaho

Being prepared for snow in Idaho is vital to survive the long winter. While nobody anticipates their car getting stuck, there is always a chance when you get behind the wheel after a snow or ice storm. It is important to be prepared to have a few things in your car at all times just in case. The below items are what you should keep in your car for Idaho winter, and likely year around. 

• A Blanket
• Kitty Litter
• An Ice Scrapper
• A Heavy Coat
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Shovel
• Snow Brush
• Jumper Cables
• Gloves
• Food

Each item serves a different purpose and some are more valuable than others, but it is smart to have most of these items in a box, a bag, or somewhere in your car this winter. Let's take a closer look at the purpose of each item. 

Using a Winter Kit in Idaho

In the unfortunate event that you find yourself stranded on a cold winter day in your car, what items are the most useful in your kit, and how do you use them? The blanket is obvious. If your car dies, and you need to stay warm while waiting for help, having a blanket is vital. If you have to get out and work in the snow or walk, the coat and gloves will come in handy and help keep you warm. The jumper cables could help you restart your car if your battery dies. The ice scraper is a must for any car in Idaho this time of year, and likely has a brush attached to it, but if not they are nice to have to sweep snow off before scraping. A flashlight and batteries will come in handy if your car dies or gets stuck at night. A shovel could help dig you out of a hole you have found yourself in. The food is so you have a snack, as waiting for a ride, a tow truck, or someone to arrive could take a while. The kitty litter might seem the most out of place, but this is to help you get traction to potentially get out of a stuck spot you are in. 

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As we await the next winter storm to come, take advantage of the roads being nice and prepare a winter kit for your car before it is too late. Most of these things, you should already have, but if not, it is good to load up and place these items in your car for the upcoming winter weather and traffic. Don't hesitate and get your kit ready today.