Winter Emergency Car Kit Checklist: Prepare Before You Drive
Ready & Resourceful | Updated October 8, 2026
https://readyresourceful.com/preparedness/winter-emergency-car-kit/

Household/group: ____________________
Date reviewed: ____________________
Conditions or destination: ____________________

[ ] Warm coats or spare insulating layers for each person.
[ ] Hats, gloves, dry socks, and weather-appropriate footwear.
[ ] Blankets or suitable sleeping bags.
[ ] Drinking water protected from leakage and regularly checked.
[ ] Familiar snacks that can be eaten without cooking.
[ ] Flashlight or headlamp with the necessary power supply.
[ ] Charged phone, correct cable, vehicle charger, and a charged power bank.
[ ] Written emergency contacts and roadside-assistance information.
[ ] First-aid kit, personal medication plan, and essential health information.
[ ] Ice scraper, snow brush, and suitable gloves for clearing the vehicle.
[ ] Reflective equipment or warning devices suitable for the vehicle and local requirements.
[ ] Vehicle-specific basic tools or recovery equipment only where you have the knowledge to use them.
[ ] Hygiene supplies, waste bags, and items for children or pets travelling with you.

READY CHECK
[ ] Inspect condition and compatibility; replace missing or damaged items.
[ ] Record where critical supplies are and who can retrieve them.
[ ] Adapt quantities and supplies to the people, conditions and official instructions.
[ ] Write down a backup or relocation arrangement.

Items to add: ____________________
Next review: ____________________

Read the full guide for limitations and safety context. This planning sheet is not emergency instructions or a guarantee of safety. Follow current official guidance. AI-assisted compilation; no field-testing claim.

References from the guide:
https://www.weather.gov/media/top/prepare/CarWinterSurvivalKitChecklist.pdf
https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter-during
https://www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/safety/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html