Another Canadian winter has arrived, so it’s time to make sure that you have the ultimate winter safety kit handy. No matter where you live in Canada, Old Man Winter can strike at any time and often without notice. Whether you are on the road or at home, snow, wind, and ice can create dangerous conditions. To be prepared, it’s key that you have a winter safety kit inside both your car and your home. Luckily for you, isure’s guide to the ultimate winter safety kit will assist you in riding out even the worst of winter weather conditions. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to it!
Important documents for your winter safety kit
For starters, you should have all your relevant documents in one place. Your car winter safety kit should include copies of your insurance papers, licence and registration. For your home winter safety kit, you should have your IDs, any home insurance papers and all other relevant documents. This way, no matter what type of situation arises, you can have them on hand and ready to use without delay! We know it’s not always possible to put all your docs in one place, so make yourself photocopies. It’s always important to have a few on hand, anyway. If you want to cut down on the papers you keep on your person, there’s also another option available to you. Drivers in Ontario now have the option to show a digital copy of their proof of insurance thanks to the introduction of electronic car insurance pink slips.
Gear to include in your winter safety kit
Now that we have all our important documents sorted, let’s get our gear ready. Having the right tools in the event of an emergency can make or break you getting home or riding out a brutal winter storm indoors. We all know how cold a Canadian winter can be, so the cold drop in temperatures is going to be a prime factor when it comes to making your winter safety kit. From having cars be able to see you on the road, to making sure a rescue crew can find you in your home, you can be rest assured our kit will have you covered! Our suggested items can be found below:
Home
- Blanket
- Warm clothing
- Pull-on snow pants
- Candles
- Matches
- Battery-powered flashlight with fresh batteries
- Shovel
- First-aid kit
- Tablet/laptop
- Portable phone charger
- Non-perishable food items
- Bottles of water
If stuck in a power outage, read our article for more tips!
Car
- First-aid kit
- Battery-powered flashlight
- Whistle
- Jumper cables
- Extra gloves and hat
- Snow brush
- Portable tool kit
- Sleeping bag
- Road flares
- USB battery bank to charge your smartphone
- Container of gas (jerry can)
- Tow straps
- Non-perishable food items
- Extra bottles of water
- Road salt
- Windshield wiper fluid
Food
Whether you are in your car or at home when a crisis occurs, there isn’t usually any telling as to how long it will last. This is why having non-perishable food items within your kit is key! Some suggestions include items like granola or protein bars. It is also important to have water in plastic bottles on hand in case you are thirsty or are without water supply. All of these extra food precautions will help you survive an uncomfortable period of time without power or being able to move your car!
We’ve also asked Kelly Williams (Kelly’s Garage)—automotive expert and the only woman to compete in Canada’s top stock car series for 10 years—to explain how to be prepared for winter and what to do if you ever get stuck on the side of the road.
Click here to watch!
Remember, winter is an unpredictable time in this country. With isure’s knowledgable brokers, you can rest easy knowing we are unbeatable when it comes to both coverage and customer service. We put you, your home and your car first, and we hope our winter safety kit helps you properly prepare this season.
