Here's how to stock your vehicle's emergency kit
If you find yourself in need of help that may not come for a few hours, you'll want to be prepared.
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Severe weather – from heavy snow in the winter, to floodwaters in the spring and summer – is a real hazard, and can leave you stranded. If that happens, help can be a while coming, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be helpless. Drivers are advised to keep an emergency kit in their vehicle to see them through. Aside from smaller, simpler items like non-perishable food, a whistle, notepad, pen, kitty litter, and washer fluid, here are our suggestions for what to include in your kit, for both the warmer and colder months.
Yardworks Telescopic Trunk Snow Shovel
Canadian Tire
With a bit of exertion, you might simply be able to use a shovel to clear enough of the snow to get back underway. Even if not, you should still be mindful of how much snow is built up around your vehicle and clear a space around your exhaust pipe if you’re stranded. For that, we think the Yardworks Telescopic Trunk Snow Shovel is good value.
Why it made the list
Easily collapsible to fit neatly into your trunk
Study 11-inch poly blade
Rated 4.5 out of 5 by Canadian Tire users
SOL Survival Blanket
Atmosphere
Power outages are bad news when they happen in the middle of a Canadian winter. Even if you have a portable generator, you'll still want to include an emergency blanket in your home kit. The SOL Survival Blanket is rated for the backcountry, and reflects 90 per cent of your body's radiated heat when used properly.
Why it made the list
Shred and tear-resistant
Large enough for two people, and priced well enough for you to afford more than one for your survival kit
Rated 4.6 out of 5 by Atmosphere reviewers
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Survival Candles
Amazon.ca
For keeping warm, here’s another option: A set of survival candles that can provide both heat and light for hours if help is a long time coming. Made from soy wax with a cotton wick, they’re non-toxic, so you can safely burn them inside the confines of your vehicle with no risk to your health.
Essential features:
40-hour burn time per candle
Does not contain dye, phthalates or parabens
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
ThorFire Solar Flashlight With Hand-Crank
Amazon.ca
If you need a light source that’s a bit more focused than a candle, this ThorFire Solar Flashlight With Hand-Crank will be your friend for a few hours. It has a solar charge option, but if you’re in a pinch you can use the hand crank to replenish the battery. At the very least, you won’t have to worry about packing AAAs.
Why it made the list
One minute of cranking will generate one hour of light, according to the manufacturer
Waterproof and submersible up to 45 feet (14 metres)
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon, based on more than 280 reviews
INIU Triple 3A High-Speed 10000mAh Phone Power Bank
Amazon
It’s hard to do without your smartphone in this day and age. In a severe weather outbreak it's the first place severe weather warnings are delivered (via AlertReady), and lets you check on the situation as it evolves. But most of them have poor battery lives compared to the pre-smartphone age, so you'll definitely want a portable power bank for yours. We liked the INIU Triple 3A High-Speed 10000mAh Phone Power Bank best. It's lightweight, eminently portable, and priced well enough for you to include more than one in your emergency kit.
Why it made the list
10,000 milliamp-hour charge capacity
Three USB-C ports, so you can charge three devices at once
Rated 4.6 out of 5, based on more than 1,500 Amazon user reviews
Motomaster 9,000-lb Tow Strap
Canadian Tire
Whether you’re hauling someone out of a snow bank, or being pulled out of one yourself, you’ll likely need a good tow rope. This one, the Motomaster 9,000-lb Tow Strap, is a good one to include in your kit.
Why it made the list
Intended for loads up to 3,000 pounds, with 9,000-pound break strength
Includes two zinc-plated, rust-resistant hooks
Rated 4.3 out of 5 by Canadian Tire users
EPAuto 6 Gauge x 16 Ft Heavy Duty Booster Jumper Cables
Amazon.ca
A rundown battery isn’t just a winter hazard, so snow or shine, you’ll want some jumper cables in your kit. We picked these ones, the EPAuto 6 Gauge x 16 Ft Heavy Duty Booster Jumper Cables, not only because they’re a fine and sturdy example of the tool, but unlike most others we’ve seen, it comes with safety gloves.
Why it made the list
16-foot length
Aside from safety gloves, includes storage bag for safe stowing in your trunk
Immensely popular among Amazon users, who rated it 4.6 out of 5 based on more than 5,800 reviews
Compact First Aid Kit
Amazon.ca
Having a first aid kit in your car is a must regardless of what you think the weather’s going to be like. We recommend this Compact First Aid Kit for yours. Though its price tag is a little higher than others like it, it includes 228 items within its waterproof case, more than most others we reviewed.
Why it made the list
Includes scissors, which can be used to cut through a seatbelt
Compact, lightweight and waterproof case
Rated 4.6 out of 5 among Amazon users, based on more than 2,100 reviews
Amerex B500, 5lb ABC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Amazon.ca
As with any emergency kit, it’s better to have one and not need it, than need one and not have it. Nothing embodies that ethos like your standard fire extinguisher, and the Amerex B500, 5lb ABC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher is a tried and true example. Be sure to monitor its charge regularly, and replace or recharge as needed.
Why it made the list
Sturdy design, with steel cylinders and all-metal valves
Easy to maintain and service
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon, based on 1,200 reviews
3 Pack ZivaTech LED Road Flares
Amazon.ca
Whatever the reason your car is stopped on the highway, you’ll want to maximize your visibility for oncoming drivers. These ZivaTech LED Road Flares are a great way to do that: They’re sturdy, have multiple flash settings, and can be magnetically attached to your vehicle.
Why it made the list
Each includes multiple LED bulbs, with nighttime visibility up to 1.6 kilometres
Weather-resistant, shatterproof, and crushproof
Rated 4.5 out of 5 by Amazon users
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
