Winter Car Emergency Kit on Long Island
In a previous blog post, we talked about what to keep in your car in case of emergencies on Long Island. But as the season changes and the sleet and snow begin to accumulate, we felt it was necessary to update our list to reflect the emergencies that may occur in the winter.
One of the most common questions we get as a roadside assistance company is whether or not our clients should invest in snow tires. Considering we live on Long Island, switching to snow tires is not necessary for the amount of snow our region gets. But we do recommend having at least a shovel, some cardboard and kitty litter to help if your tires ever do get stuck in the snow. The shovel will help you remove large amounts of snow away from the tires. In addition, the cardboard and kitty litter will help give your tires traction so you can easily drive away.
Another hazard that winter weather brings with it is ice. Most of us already carry an ice scraper in our car to help remove the ice before we begin driving. But another essential we recommend is having some rock salt in your car. It’s common knowledge that road salt can rust your vehicles, however, we recommend having it so you can help remove any ice that might be frozen around your tires to help it melt faster.
Sometimes life can be unpredictable and we might find ourselves traveling in a snowstorm. In the event that your car breaks down in the middle of a blizzard, these emergency items might come in handy. We always recommend having your phone plugged into a car cell phone charger while you are driving, this way if the car breaks down, your phone will be charged so you can call for emergency roadside assistance. Since you will not be able to generate heat, having gloves, winter jackets and blankets in your car will help you stay warm while you wait for help. If the weather is terrible it might take a while for a tow truck or roadside assistance to get to you, therefore, having snacks and water will help keep any hungry feelings at bay.
Pro Tip: We don’t recommend keeping these items in your trunk. Sometimes your trunk can be frozen shut and you won’t be able to access these items. This is why we recommend putting them in your backseat.
If you are stuck on the side of the road in heavy snow, putting a flare on the side of the road will not do much good as the snow will quickly cover it. We recommend having a fluorescent ribbon in your car that you can tie to your antennae. By using this, any vehicles that pass by or the tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle can easily spot you.
Pro Tip: If you are stuck at night in a blizzard, keeping your dome light on might help vehicles that are approaching you from a far distance see you. They will see the glow of your car.
For more information or to schedule a tow with Elite Towing & Transport Inc., please give us a call at (631) 737-8439 or fill out the contact form.
