Must-have winter safety items to keep in your vehicle

If your organization maintains vehicles to transport either people or supplies, you want to protect your drivers in all kinds of weather. Even if your area of the country doesn’t experience particularly harsh winters, you should still be prepared—you never know when you may run into snowy or icy conditions.

It is essential that every vehicle in your fleet has a winter safety kit. Consumer Reports has reviewed several of the winter safety kits available online; each of these kits cost between $50 and $85.

Of course, this begs the question: What comprises a quality winter safety kit? Here, we list some of the essential items for a vehicle winter safety kit. If you choose to buy a kit, rather than assembling one yourself, you can always add any of these items if they’re not already in the kit.

1. First-aid kit – This is a must, because drivers could become stranded and need care. A first-aid kit is also helpful for non-emergency situations, such as a driver or passenger who needs a bandage. Depending on your individual situation, you can add items as needed—and don’t forget to check on how temperature might affect medications.
2. Ice scraper – If there’s even a chance of snow or ice in your area, you should have ice scrapers in your vehicles. Yes, you may need to scrape ice off your windshield for visibility, but in some states, you’re also required to brush all snow off your vehicle.
3. Cellphone charger – It’s important that your drivers have a way to communicate with you or emergency services personnel, and cellphones can run out of battery power—particularly in cold weather.
4. Battery booster cables – Almost everyone has experienced a dead battery at some point in their driving career, and battery booster cables have the potential to keep a driver from becoming stranded. All they need is another vehicle to give them a jump start.
5. Items to help if you are stranded – This could include a signaling cone to warn oncoming cars of your presence, a reflective safety vest, roadside triangles, a flashlight and backup batteries.
6. Portable shovel and a bag of sand – These tools can help you dig out a vehicle that has been buried by snow or slush from plows. The bag of sand can help you boost traction.

Find more tips on transportation safety on our safety resources page.