With winter weather here, it’s time to make sure that your car is ready for the snow. I have to admit that aside from changing the oil, I used to often forget that I needed to do anything to be ready for winter driving. But then I learned that it really just takes a few simple steps to make sure that I’m ready to hit the road when the snow starts to fall. These are the three things that I make sure I always do as soon as the temperature drops below zero so that I’m ready to drive with confidence.
Stash a Safety Kit
Having a safety kit in the trunk of the car is handy any time of the year and a must during winter. My kit contains food, a candle, waterproof matches, a solar-powered flashlight, an emergency blanket, work gloves, booster cables and mini pylons. Every year I check to make sure that all the supplies are still there and working well, replacing them as needed. Luckily I haven’t ever had to use that emergency blanket, candle or food, but knowing they are there makes me feel much safer about travelling in the winter with my boys. And the booster cables are something I have used on numerous occasions, both for my own car and to help others. No vehicle should be without them!
Check Your Tires
If there’s one time of year that having good tires is essential, it’s winter. For those with winter tires, a drop in temperature means it’s time to get those tires on your car. If you use all-season tires like I do, then checking to make sure that your car’s tires still have good tread is a must. It’s also a great time to rotate your tires, which helps them to wear more evenly. It’s a quick and easy maintenance job that is essential for ensuring your tires last as long as possible.
Keep Your Kids Secure
Because driving in the winter can be so much more dangerous than driving in the summer, especially in a province like Saskatchewan, making sure that kids are as safe as possible is always a good idea, and that means checking the car seat. I like to use the changing season as a time to check my son’s Evenflo SecureKid DLX Harnessed Booster and ensure that it’s still properly secured in the car and the straps still fit well. Since this seat is so versatile, I can make necessary adjustments to the seat as my son grows. In fact, it’s suitable for children between 22 lbs. and 110 lbs! If you’re using an older car seat, make sure to check the expiry date too and upgrade to a new seat if needed.
For the most part, I don’t find driving in the winter much worse than driving in the summer. But I know that being prepared just in case of an emergency is something that could make a huge difference if disaster does strike. These three simple vehicles checks are ones that just take a few minutes, but it’s time well spent to ensure my family’s safety. Make sure your car is ready for winter and you’ll be ready to head out feeling secure about facing the snowy weather!
mrdisco says
all-season is better known as no-season tires. if a set of winter tires isn’t convienent to use, new *all-weather* tires are an alternative. they have compound designed to be used during the winter as well as summer
Angela Mitchell says
A safety kit is so important year round. I update mine 2 to 4 times a year.
Alayne Langford says
We always forgot about the safety kit until one day hubs cut his hand and from then on we have a first aid kid it in the car. It contains a candle and matches too because that can create heat if you are left stranded in the winter! 🙂
kristen visser says
GREAT idea about the safety kit and checking the car seat! We are getting winter tires soon so thank god for that but it is definitely good to have a safety kit and make sure out daughters are traveling safely with us
Rose Reeder says
I have a first aid kit and blanket year round and car seats are put in by parents to be safe. Our car shows things like tire pressure so it is safe.
Florence C says
Safety kit good idea. We always buy a snow shovel in the trunk in the winter.
Monica says
Very helpful tips, its good to be reminded to be safe. No one wants to be stranded
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
Im getting my girls safety kits when the are on the road.
kathy downey says
Awesome idea about the safety kit and checking the car seat,you need to be prepared
Tiffany Rotulo says
I always keep a safety kit. It’s always good to be prepared.
Maggie C says
These are great tips! I have 2/3 covered ….! Just don’t need the last one because no kids.
Melanie B says
Great tips! One thing I don’t have is a safety kit,, I keep saying I’m going to get one,,
Judy Cowan says
All great tips! We just put our winter safety kits in the car this week!
kristy e says
great tips, getting both cars tires fixed today! Have winter safety kits as well
Shawna Chapman says
We live in Northern Ontario and being prepared for the seasons is a must in my neck of the woods!
cheryl says
Great tips! Especially about the car seats, so important
Lynda Cook says
I need to get a safety kit for my car because you just don’t know, but my hubby is a mechanic and he looks after my car for me
Guppy says
We always get our winter tires on well before it gets too cold and any snow falls. Having a big 4 Wheel drive truck helps us feel secure in winter too ;D
Sherry K says
I like the reminder about having a safety kit in the car – specially after all the snow they got in the Buffalo area.
Heather T says
I completely forget about safety kits! However, we do always have matches and a large candle somewhere in the car in case of a break down in the cold in the middle of nowhere. The heat from the candle fire could just save you from hypothermia!
Erika Belanger says
Great tips! I try not to travel very far in the winter since I have 3 little ones! I am a nervous driver in bad weather and If I have to go somewhere I make my husband take us!
Suzie M says
Great tips esp seeing what is happening n Buffalo right now
DARLENE W says
Already set and good to go
Bernice says
great tips , thanks for sharing ,i always check the tires before trips
Jennifer P. says
We have a safety kit that we update for the seasons e.g. for winter we add a hat, gloves, and scarf for each of us, in case we get stuck while out and we weren’t wearing those items. I also keep an extra set of clothes for the little ones, and diapers for the baby.
Julie F says
I always have a safety kit plus a blanket in the back of the car as you never know when you will need them, I also like to keep a couple of energy bars too!
angela m says
These are some great tips. We always have blankets and a tool kit in our car at all times.
DARLENE W says
Whenever I see a winter tip list I think of That 70’s Show episode where Red repeats the winter kit list over and over
Stephanie LaPlante says
I love how safe they look!
Athena says
This is a good reminder about a safety kit.
Cheryl (@loucheryl) says
Having a safety kit is a great idea.
Tara Bixler says
Thanks so much for the great safety tips.I have had some two accidents in the wintery months,thankfully no one was hurt.I never thought before about securing a safety kit,this is such a good idea.You just never know with inclimate weather what can happen and being prepared is the best way.Thanks again
Cheryl says
Thanks for the great tips 🙂
Victoria Ess says
Thanks for the reminder to replenish my safety kit! Great tips!
Tanya Tumbin says
love the site
Karen Thaeter says
Yes its allways good to have a pair of good winter boots and coat stashed in the trunk in case of a breakdown in the winter from an unexpected storm arriving while you are travelling
Kimberly B says
I have to remember to put my blanket back in don’t want to get stuck and not be able to keep warm!
Margaret MacKenzie says
I love the idea of a safety kit…don’t have one but am definitely thinking of putting one in my van as I have a little guy and would hate to be stuck in the cold, snowy weather.
Kristine Ewald says
Great safety tips thank you 🙂
Laurie P says
Great reminders! We just upgraded our child car seat, and we have a new car safety kit…
Anna W says
Just did all of these after I read your article, safety first!
Silvia D says
wonderful tips! Our truck is allready!
Darlene Schuller says
Thanks for the great tips! This was a great post for me, we just recently bought a car after not having one for 3 years. Thank you!!
Jeannie says
Great tips!! Winter driving and road trips can be a bit challenging.
denise low says
We keep blankets in our car also snow shovels.
Deb Dorrington says
Awesome winter car tips, we live in a country that has weather that should always be taken seriously..We follow all 3 tips you have posted.