CAA National CAA National
Get Roadside Assistance enfr
CAA National — Winter Driving — Emergency Kit

Emergency Kit

Preparing an Emergency Kit

It’s important to have an emergency kit even when you least expect the worst to happen. In this page, we’ll figure out what kinds of items should be in the kit to make sure you’re prepared.

Vehicle Emergency Kit

In case of a breakdown, it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit in your vehicle.

Here is a list of items we recommend including in your emergency kit:

  • Flashlight (preferably crank-type, because batteries don’t last long in extreme cold)
  • Reflective safety triangles or flares
  • Small first-aid kit
  • Snow brush and scraper
  • Traction aids
  • Small shovel with long handle
  • Bag of abrasive material: sand, kitty litter (avoid road salt, which can cause your vehicle to rust)
  • Plenty of windshield washer fluid
  • Booster cables
  • Gas-line antifreeze
  • Lock de-icer (in extreme cold, keep it with you, rather than in your vehicle!)
  • Paper towels
  • Small tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, etc.)
  • Extra fuses (for the vehicle’s electrical system)
  • Warm blanket
  • Extra socks, boots and gloves
  • Hand and foot warmers
  • Bottles of water
  • Granola bars