12 Things You Should Keep In Your Car For Emergencies

Snowy, icy winters make for especially treacherous driving, so you usually see lists like this published when the first storms of the year hit. That’s not quite fair, though. Emergencies come up in any climate and at any time of year. You may not need all of them year-round, but here are a dozen things that can help you out in an emergency on the road.

Consumer Reports put together this list, which is focused on cold-weather needs like sand to dislodge a stuck car and

  • Hazard triangles (or flares)
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight
  • Roadside-assistance membership (which is not, strictly speaking, a thing, but it’s still important
  • Tow rope
  • Duct tape
  • Small shovel and bag of kitty litter or sand
  • Windshield scraper, emergency blanket, and hand warmers
  • Did they miss an item that you find indispensable? Share it in the comments, or let us know at tips@consumerist.com. Maybe in future we’ll post a Consumerist-Enhanced version of this list!

    12 emergency items for the road [Consumer Reports]

    Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.