There are essential items all car owners must have as we enter into the winter season. Having these items ensures you stay safe as you drive in these icy conditions and will help keep you safe during emergencies.
It’s good to be prepared for all situations, especially collisions. Being stranded in cold weather could lead to fatal injuries and other unwanted situations that threaten your safety. Snowy conditions are responsible for 30 percent of collisions in Canada, so doing everything you can to avoid making things worse if you’re in a collision is ideal.
Temporary windshield repair
Your windshield is vital to protecting you from snow getting into your car and leading to freezing. Having items that can act as a windshield repair and tide you over until you get to a repair centre is essential.
Having a windshield repair kit or simple household items, such as super glue or clear nail polish in your car, can help keep cracks from spreading before you can fix your windshield. Applying these items to the damaged area will provide a temporary solution.
It’s also good to have a quality windshield scraper and brush to keep your windshield clean and in good condition. A clean windshield improves visibility and helps you avoid getting into a collision in the first place.
Jackets, gloves, blankets
Having warm winter jackets and gloves can be a lifesaver during a winter collision. They’ll keep you warm and protected from the cold as you carry out temporary repairs, exchange information with the other driver, or conduct any other activity outside your car.
Keeping blankets and warm clothes is also helpful for staying warm if your vehicle receives significant damage. Moving will be impossible, and you may need to wait a long time for a tow truck to arrive. Cars can get cold fast after a collision, especially if the impact affects their heating function.
First aid kit
Having a first again kit in your car should be year-round, but we recommend double-checking your first aid kit to be sure you have everything you need in the event of a collision. It’ll be helpful if you or someone else gets injured during a crash. You can use the tools in the first aid kit to treat and clean small scrapes. More severe injuries will require professional medical attention, but good first aid will manage it until you get to a hospital. This can be crucial as first responders may take some time to get to the collision scene during the winter.
Sand or cat litter
Having extra weight in your trunk can be helpful for multiple reasons. They’ll place more pressure on the rear tires, strengthening their grip on the snow. A bag of sand, rock salt, or cat litter is also helpful for giving your tires grit and something to latch on to if your tires get stuck in sludge or snow. Spreading the coarse materials around your car tires will help you escape these murky situations.
Flashlights
It’s common knowledge that it gets darker fast during the winter, so keeping an extra source of light on you is crucial. You’ll need some light if you’re in a collision that takes out your headlights as you wait for help to arrive. Flashlights are also good to use as signals to other vehicles, help you look around your trunk or engine, and provide light if you need to walk a distance to get help.
Extra winter tires
You might need to replace a tire if it gets flat during a collision. Having a spare winter tire means you can easily switch out the defective tire without worrying about whether or not it’ll hold up to the weather conditions. They’re better because manufacturers use a different, sturdier material than regular tires to make them. Winter tires have a better grip and provide more traction for slippery snowy roads.
Jumper cables
Cold weather affects your vehicle’s batteries, putting more strain on them and can make them refuse to start. Cars with newer batteries (less than three years old) may not have this problem, but it’s better to have jumper cables just in case. Moving your car is impossible with a dead battery so having jumper cables is vital. These cables help restart your battery, so you don’t have to wait for help before moving your car.
Water and snacks
Have extra water and non-perishable snacks in your vehicle in the winter in case you need to wait for help for an extended amount of time. You never know how long it’ll take for help to arrive, and the last thing you want is an empty belly or a blood sugar crash in a stressful situation.
Extra cell phone battery/charger
Your cell phone may be the difference between a collision being a minor inconvenience and having a harrowing experience. You’ll need your cell phone to document evidence and contact a nearby car repair shop for towing assistance. It’ll also put you at ease knowing you have backup power for your phone if you have to wait a few hours for the car service to arrive or contact a different shop if the first few you reach out to are unavailable.
Always know where the nearest car shop is
Knowing where the nearest car repair shop is means you’ll spend less time panicking or finding a repair shop to come to your rescue. You’ll know exactly who to call and report your situation to immediately after the collision, so they have enough time to get to you. One of the ways to find a car shop is by typing “where is the nearest car repair shop” or “car repair near me”. You’ll find a list of the nearest car repair shops to choose from and you can pick the one with the best reviews.
Simplicity Car Care is available through the winter; don’t hesitate to call us if you’re in a collision. We have multiple locations around the country, so we’ll be able to send a tow truck if you need to move your car.
Locating the nearest shop is also easy. Our skilled technicians work nonstop to ensure your vehicle is fixed and returned to you fast. Contact us today if you have any questions about auto repair or wish to contact us regarding our collision repair services.
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