Winter weather can throw all sorts of fury at you and your car.
And yes, snow can be pretty to look at, but it can also be hazardous.
Which is why it's a good idea to keep your car stocked up on emergency items and supplies.
In this article, we're going to tell you which ones should be at the top of your list.
Fully Charged Mobile Phone
One of life's basic needs, arguably.
Even more so when you've broken down in bad weather on the M6.
Help must be reached, and the only way it can is by phone. Which is why you should keep a mobile charger lead in your car if it has a USB charging port, letting you charge your phone on the go.
Or if it doesn't have a USB port, there's lots of gadgets on the market which will do the job – usually by making use of the cigarette lighter as the charging point.
If you're a member of a breakdown service like the AA, then it's best make sure that you have their number to hand.
Ice Scraper and De-Icer
Instead of going for the cheap trick of pouring boiling water on the windscreen (which can cause the glass to shatter), it's really best to have the proper equipment – in this case, an ice scraper.
Driving with an unclear windscreen, windows or mirrors is always a no-go.
You're endangering yourself, and also breaking the law. That's why driving with limited vision (whether as a result of ice or condensation on the windscreen) could result in 3 points on your license and a £60 fine.
It's not only illegal to drive without a properly de-iced windscreen, your insurance could also be invalidated if you have an accident without clearing it properly.
Hi-Vis Clothing
Say you stop on the hard shoulder to wait for help or clear snow off your car . . . the last thing you want is to get run over by a vehicle passing by.
That's what a hi-vis jacket or top is designed to prevent.
With worse weather and less daylight hours, hi-vis clothing can be especially necessary in the winter, so get yourself a luminescent jacket or vest to make sure any passers-by can see you.
Also, don't forget to switch your hazard warning lights on!
Snow Chains/Snow Socks
No, not actual socks . . .
Instead, these are for your tyres.
If the weather turns really, really nasty, then snow chains/snow socks will help your tyres to keep moving in snowy or icy conditions. Increasing grip on the roads, they give you improved braking performance and are one of the must-have winter driving accessories.
Emergency Warning Triangle
Similar to hi-vis clothing . . . but an emergency triangle is more to warn other drivers that your car is broken down and sitting stationary on or near to the road.
What you want to do is place it 45 metres (147 feet) behind your car, which is hopefully going to give other drivers the message. (If they don't, pray!)
Just be careful when you're putting the triangle down and retrieving it.
You don't want to end up as roadkill.
Food and Snacks
You might be waiting a while for that emergency patrol or recovery vehicle to arrive, so it's never a bad idea to stock up on food supplies that will keep those energy levels high.
The glove compartment is the storage place of choice. Protein or cereal bars are never a bad choice and are easy to store.
It's also a good idea to keep some bottles of water on standby.
Unless you're sure of eating it on the same day (and ideally within a couple of hours), you're not advised to keep food in your car that's perishable and can rot (tomatoes, butter, fish, etc.).
Warm Clothing
Stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down car is bad enough as it is, but even worse so in the winter when the cold hits.
That's why keeping some warm clothes handy in the boot can always be a real lifesaver. Best to pack some jackets, fleeces, scarves and hats – both for you and the family (if you regularly drive others about).
Oh, and don't forget the gloves!
Blanket or Travel Rug
As well as some warm items of clothing, a blanket or travel rug is also a good shout if you want to get hot and toasty when stuck in cold weather, particularly if you have any young or elderly passengers.
We'll say it again: warm clothes are essential in the wet and cold during winter, especially if you're broken down on the hard shoulder and can't use your car's heating to warm up.
Extra Screen Wash
Otherwise known as windscreen washer fluid.
Because even if you scrape every inch of snow and water off of your windscreen before setting off, it's likely to get clogged up again as soon as you hit the open road – when you'll have even more fresh ice, snow, grit and dirt to contend with.
And even when it's not snowing, you're still likely to use your windscreen washers more often in winter due to the increase in rain . . . so always good to have some spare washer on-board to.
Tow Rope
Whether your car needs towing after an emergency or another driver needs assistance, having a tow rope in your car during wintertime can help you navigate some tricky situations.
If a vehicle can't be pulled out of the snow or a ditch through pure muscle-power alone, then having a rope handy always makes things a lot easier – hopefully ending in a full rescue.
Jump Leads
Useful to have in the boot of your car all year round, but especially so in winter.
You see, car batteries hold their charge using a liquid electrolyte solution that's sensitive to varying temperatures. Colder weather slows the chemical process, lessening the battery’s ability to hold charge, so you might find that your car battery goes flat more often in winter.
Especially as you're likely to be sticking the heat on full.
And of course, a flat battery is a royal pain even at the best of times, but no more so than if you're stuck in the cold.
Torch
Always good to have when the darker days roll in.
So that if you do end up stranded or stuck by the side of the road, you'll at least be able to see where you're going and your surroundings. Plus, it'll make yourself more visible too.
And you don't want to waste battery by relying on your car's interior light or your phone – the phone you'll need to get in touch with the recovery service!
Shovel
Whether it's to clear a path around your vehicle after a sudden drift or you’ve woken up in the morning after there's been heavy snow in the night, a shovel and broom has its uses in times of snowy weather.
Or say you get stuck in snow on a small country road. There's a lot less traffic and you'll be harder to reach, so a shovel is essential in case the very worst should happen.
First Aid Kit
Worst-case scenario here.
After all, you never know what the cold weather is going to throw at you.
It's possible that your car comes with a first aid kit, but if not, then there's plenty to be had on the market and online for any kind of road trip.
Although they can save the day in winter especially, it's still best to have one present in your car at all times of the year.
Summary
Yes, winter driving can really wreak havoc on our cars, so when it comes to the darker nights and cold winter months, you can never have too many emergency gadgets and items.
Breakdown equipment and winter car accessories like jump leads, air compressors and high-visibility gear are all easily available on the market, so you can rest easy in the knowledge that you're in safe hands should the worst happen.