Winter is in FULL swing! According to statistics, 70% of the U.S. population lives in snowy regions which means 70% of people are driving in winter storms, cold weather, and icy conditions this season (YIKES). With that high of risk, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Whether it be an automobile accident, your car breaking down, getting lost or stuck, we want to make sure you and your little ones are prepared.

We asked around the office and did all the searching for you to compile a checklist of what we believe to be some of the most important car safety tips to follow this winter. Enjoy and feel free to share some of YOUR favorite winter safety tips in the comments below!

1. Emergency Car Kit

76,000 people are injured in automobile crashes during the winter season and  AAA admitted to rescuing a record-breaking 32 million drivers in 2015, with more battery, flat tire, and key problems than ever before. Emergencies and injuries can occur at any time, so a properly stocked car safety kit is a necessity!

Jenny let us take a peek into her emergency car kit so we can help you stay prepared for any situation!

1. Extra warm blanket, beanie, mittens, and hand/foot warmers: Extremely cold conditions can cause frostbite and hypothermia so maintaining your body heat is essential in those precious hours while waiting for help.

2. Lighter or waterproof matches: You never know when you’ll need to build a fire to stay warm, lighters and matches are an inexpensive way to stay warm and safe in case of an emergency.

3. Food and water: It’s recommended to have enough food and water for 72 hours. Focus on non-perishable food that doesn’t require prep or refrigeration. Consider energy bars, trail mix, beef jerky, or ready-to-eat snacks.

4. First Aid Kit: Be sure to buy a kit that is roadside ready and equipped with all necessary equipment. You can buy Jenny’s exact kit here.

5. Ziploc bags: perfect for a stand in “barf bucket.”

6. Coloring book and colored pencils: Keep the kiddos preoccupied while waiting for help.

7. Extra cash: We’ve all been there. You’re running low on gas and wanted to wait until the next exit to fill up. But you cut it too close. Your car stalls and now you’re on the side of the road flagging for help. The extra cash will be needed when you’re able to flag down help so they can get you a gallon of gas at the next exit!

8. CPR kit and Medical Gloves: In case of an emergency, a CPR kit is a necessity and makes it much easier to perform CPR.

9. Wet wipes: You know you’re a mom when you use baby wipes… for everything! These things sure do come in handy for basically ANY situation.

10. Ice scraper and snow brush: A crucial item to keep in your car during winter. Snow or ice on car windows can easily obstruct your view and cause an accident.

11. Auto Self Jumper Cable: an auto jumper cable eliminates needing another car to jump your battery. Here’s an affordable self jumper cable we great reviews we found here.

12. Flashlight and extra batteries: Along with the obvious reason you would need a flashlight, it’s also a great way to flag down help. And of course, flashlights require batteries so it’s important to pack extra batteries, along with any other size batteries you may need for your other devices.

13. Portable Cell Phone Charger:Your cell phone is one of the most important forms of communication. It’s important to have a good portable cell phone charger to be sure your phone is fully charged during emergency situations. Here’s a great one we found here that is good for up to 5-6 smartphone charges or a full iPad charge.

 

2. Get your car serviced (NOW)

If you haven’t already, it’s important to make sure your car is properly checked and tuned-up. No one wants their car to break down, especially during those chilly months! Have your automobile thoroughly looked at for leaks, worn hoses, worn tires, battery issues, or other needed parts, repairs, and replacements.

3. Spare windshield wiper fluid

First things first, before going out on the road in a snowstorm, make sure your windshield fluid is FULL. Never take a clear view of a road for granted, Keeping you and your little ones safe on the roads means making sure you can see the road. And if you do run out while on the road, always have that spare windshield fluid so you can fill up as soon as you are out!

5. Winterized wipers

Along with spare windshield fluid, you need to make sure your wipers are equipped for those cold, icy, and snowy months. They now have special winter wipers that help with weather as cold as -20º F. After some research, here were our favorite wipers!

6. Keep your gas tank close to full

If you do get stuck or stranded. The engine will be one of your only sources of heat. Keeping the gas tank close to full at all times during the winter will allow you to run the engine at idle indefinitely during an emergency situation to stay warm! (cartalk.com;winter driving tips)

7. Check cooling system

The standard recommendation is a 40%-60% coolant-to-water blend. This will provide freeze protection down to minus 10 to minus 60 degrees. The correct coolant-to-water will also help protect against any rust build up or leaks.

8. Good snow tires or set of tire chains

If you don’t have 4-wheel drive, and a snowstorm is about to hit, put on chains. If you don’t know how to apply chains, be sure to learn before deciding to hit the roads again in a snowstorm.

9. Fix a Flat Kit

Flat Tire incidents happen hundreds of million times a year and did you know 60% of people don’t know how to fix a flat tire? Good thing you found us! Check out the 5-step process from Wikihow and If you’re in the need for a flat tire kit, the “Fix-A-Flat Ultimate 1-Step kit” is a great option and can fill up any tire in under 7 minutes.

10. Kitty litter or rock salt

This is a great item to have in your car to help your tires gain traction if your vehicle is stuck in the snow. It’s also great to have as extra weight on your back tires if your car is 2-Wheel drive.

11. Clean off your car ALL THE WAY

Clean of your car entirely of any snow or ice before getting in your car.  You need just as much, if not more, visibility in poor conditions.

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Not only should your car prepared, your home should be prepared too! Here’s a few quick winter tips for your home during those cold winter months.

1. Check Smoke detectors- be sure they are properly working and replace batteries if needed.
2. Check flashlights- make sure they work and you have spare batteries.
3. Check water heater- Water heaters do not last forever. The typical life span of a water heater is about 10 years. Water heater tanks should be drained and refilled monthly to extend the life of the heater and to rid the tank of any buildup. If you basement starts flooding, the first thing you probably should check is your water heater!
4. Check Garage springs- During winter your garage springs can freeze up. Be sure to oil them often during winter so they don’t break.
5. Batteries- Be sure you are stocked with all the necessary batteries needed in case of an emergency. One quick tip- keep 9 volt batteries in original packaging until you are ready to use them. If loose, keep the posts covered with masking, duct, or electrical tape and away from anything metal. If a metal object touches the two posts of a 9-volt battery, it can cause a fire. (www.nfpa.org/education)
6. Check Furnace- be sure it is properly working and change filter if needed.
7. Space heaters- have a few space heaters on hand in case your furnace goes out.

We hope you and your family can worry a little less now. It truly does pay to be prepared. Feel free to share your safety tips in the comments below! We’d love to hear and I’m sure others would too!

  On a sorta-unrelated note…Check out some of the Mother’s Lounge team staying warm up at our Eskimo Kids photoshoot (too cute not to share).

Stay warm, stay safe, and Happy Winter!