10 Essential Items for Your Car’s Winter Emergency Kit

Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for anything this winter with a fully-stocked emergency kit.

A few years ago, I went off the road on my way into work at 4:30 a.m. My vehicle was stuck in a snowbank and there was no way that I was getting out on my own. So, I pulled out my phone, in which I had pre-programmed the phone number for a local tow service and called for a tow truck. I was lucky because a driver was in the area and had me on my way in less than 30 minutes. But it got me thinking about how I would have fared if I'd been sitting there for hours. Now, I make sure I have an emergency kit in my car all winter and at least half a tank of gas. One thing I left off the list is money. It's a good idea to have a stash of cash, in case you have to pay for a tow or some gas.

Here are the 10 essential items that I keep in my car, in the winter. Feel free to add some of your own.