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Why stock up on winter gear now?
Even though January is coming to a close, for many parts of the country, winter is far from over. Cold weather is in full force, with severe storms rolling through several states, with more expected on the horizon. The last thing you want is to be stuck traveling during these unideal conditions, but sometimes, it’s just inevitable. I unfortunately found myself in a similar situation just a few days ago when I was traveling from Michigan back home to Iowa during a snowstorm. We encountered up to 45-mile-per-hour wind gusts that looked like mini snow tornadoes going across the road, white-out conditions, and slick roadways. And I can’t forget to mention that temperatures dropped into the negatives, which got me thinking, I should really carry a winter emergency kit in my car in case we ended up stranded in a ditch.
During my search for a winter car emergency kit, I stumbled upon a plethora of items that should be stowed in everyone’s trunk, just in case. The Lianxin Roadside Assistance Car Emergency Kit is the first one on my list, which is on sale at Amazon for only $33. This truly comes with everything you could possibly need (142 pieces to be exact), and it’s all neatly packed in a convenient carrying case.
Lianxin Roadside Assistance Car Emergency Kit, $33 (was $48) at Amazon
What are the benefits?
I’ll spare you from listing out all 142 pieces, but I will call out the important necessities that this kit includes. Inside the bag is a 9-piece tool set, jumper cables, safety hammer, tow rope, LED flashlight, reflective warning triangle, rope, rain poncho, mini snow shovel, insulated gloves, emergency blanket, safety hammer, distress whistle, and reflective vests. With all of these tools, you’ll be prepared for practically any type of emergency, whether it’s being caught in cold weather with no power, stuck in a ditch at night, or having a dead battery.
The most important items in this kit for snowstorms and cold weather specifically are the emergency blanket that traps and retains body heat and the tow rope, so someone is able to help pull your car out of deep, packed snow. The best part is that at just $35, it’s worth the peace of mind to have on hand, and even if you don’t use it regularly, you’re not out hundreds of dollars, which is what it would cost to buy all of these essentials separately.
Details to know
- What’s included? A 9-piece tool set, jumper cables, safety hammer, tow rope, LED flashlight, reflective warning triangle, rope, rain poncho, mini snow shovel, insulated gloves, emergency blanket, safety hammer, whistle, and reflective vests.
- Benefits: This car kit provides all of the necessary tools to help in emergency situations, such as snowstorms or a car breaking down.
- Storage: It’s recommended to keep the contents of the kit inside the carrying case stored somewhere in your car.
Other items I added to my list of car emergency essentials are a four-pack of the Mart Cobra Emergency Blankets, which is an Amazon bestseller and has sold over 10,000 times in the past 30 days, and the HotHands Body Warmer Variety Pack.
Mart Cobra Emergency Blanket 4-Pack, $8 at Amazon
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HotHands Body Warmer Variety Pack, $10 (was $14) at Amazon
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The emergency blankets are made of aluminized mylar, a highly durable material that’s known for being lightweight and reflective, and is tear-, wind-, and water-resistant. The blanket is very thin, but it works by bouncing back up to 90% of a person’s body heat, which is why it’s important to keep your coat, gloves, and other winter clothing on underneath it. According to a video demonstration done by YouTuber DanDanTheFireman, you should use the blanket lengthwise to encompass as much of your body as possible and either roll onto it and form a burrito-like method, or simply tuck the sides in under you to retain as much heat as possible.
The HotHands body warmers come in a pack of 13 disposable, single-use packages, which include five hand warmers, five body and hand warmers, and three toe warmers. These are made to put inside gloves, shoes, and coats to help keep vulnerable parts of your body warm and prevent frostbite. They are ready to use right out of the package since they are air-activated, and they last for hours.
Shop more deals
- Coogeo Car Emergency Kit, $22 (was $29) at Amazon
- Sailnovo Car Emergency Kit, $30 (was $40) at Amazon
- Everlit Survival Car Emergency Kit, $63 (was $70) at Amazon
With a severe winter storm and extreme cold expected to hit many states later this week, now is the time to order emergency items in preparation, especially if you plan to travel. If you aren’t a Prime member, we suggest signing up so you can receive your items in as little as two days with the perk of fast, free shipping.