Resources / Preparedness / Car Emergency Kit

Jumper cables or a jump starter, reflective triangles or flares, an ice scraper and snow brush, a small shovel, sand or cat litter for traction, a basic tool kit and tow strap, a blanket or sleeping bag per seat, warm clothes, water and non-perishable snacks, a first aid kit, a flashlight with spare batteries, a phone charger, and a paper map. That list combines Ready.gov and National Weather Service guidance, and every item links to a full guide.

Stay with your car unless help is clearly within reach, since a car is easier to find and gives you shelter. Ready.gov advises staying inside and limiting time outside. If you run the engine for heat, do it in short stretches and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, because a blocked pipe can fill the car with carbon monoxide. Wrap up in blankets, move your arms and legs to stay warm, and watch for signs of hypothermia: shivering, confusion, slurred speech, or drowsiness.

Ready.gov recommends never letting the tank drop below half, since gas stations can lose power or close during emergencies. In winter, the National Weather Service recommends keeping it near full to keep ice out of the tank and fuel lines. Before a winter drive, call 511 or check UDOT Traffic for road conditions, and tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive.