Crystal Lake and Barrington Auto Repair

It’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car year-round, but it’s even more crucial when winter weather hits.

Here are three essentials you should always have on hand in your vehicle in an emergency:

1. Food and Water. You need a gallon of water per person per day, so Popular Mechanics recommends keeping around 16 small drink boxes (they take up less space than bottles), which have an average shelf life of five years. You can also keep refillable water bottles, but also pack chlorine tablets in case you find yourself with a skeptical water source. Pack good quality high-calorie (2400 to 3600 calories) energy and protein bars, best bought at a camping, sports or health food store rather than a grocery store. Good ones will sustain you for three days.

2. Protection. Pack a wool blanket and chemical warm packs, adds Popular Mechanics. An emergency blanket (also known as a space blanket) is a metal-coated pl