Yes, we all feel the chill in the air. Skiing season, the holidays and trying to get around in snow and rain is on its way. Too bad the snow and rain interferes with our daily routine. Yuk! If you grew up in the Midwest like I did you know the drill. It’s time to put a road emergency kit together. Its time to find that old blanket, shovel, ice scraper, flashlight and flare for your car.

So, don’t wait until it’s too late. Most people won’t need this stuff but if you bank on not needing it and you do, I bet you’d empty your wallet for a warm blanket. Cell phones are great but according the American Automobile Association, you’ll wait on average 30 minutes for a tow truck and sometimes even that long for an ambulance. It’s cheap insurance to be prepared. Go to your favorite hardware store, Sears, or Target and put something together. Items to consider are:

• Flashlight & Fresh Batteries
• Jumper Cables
• Old Blanket
• Ice Scraper
• A Can of Flat Tire Sealant (Non Flammable!)
• Shovel (A garden shovel is better than nothing.)
• Flares or Safety Triangles
• Candle and Matches (Simple heat and light source.)
• First-Aid Kit
• Rain Poncho or Umbrella
• Pliers
• Screw Drivers (Phillips and Flat Head)
• Warm Gloves
• Spare Warm Shoes
• Kitty Litter (The extra weight is good and it provides traction on ice.)
• Call Police Sign (“Help” signs are bad. They call attention to riff-raff.)

Use an old gym bag or pillow case to keep the stuff in. Don’t use a box. It will probably break down if wet or take-up too much space. Place the shovel and ice scraper under the bag. Flares are coated in wax to keep them dry but I’d also recommend keeping them in a plastic bag.

Yep, this will take an hour or so and cost $30-$100. What is your time in distress worth? I’d plan to have the kit done by Thanksgiving. You’ll have one more thing to be thankful of.

Check out the New Car Buying Guide Roadside Emergency Safety Kits. Click Here!