Vehicle emergency kit cheap insurance for winter travelers

WINTER TRAVEL — Slippery roads this week are a reminder that drivers should be prepared for mishaps that might catch stuck, stranded or off the road in winter conditions.

A bag of items stashed in your vehicle could spell the difference between comfort and misery if not — in the worst case scenario — life and death. 

Carry a survival kit in your vehicle.

• First-aid kit
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Cellular phone and charger
• Windshield scraper with snow brush
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Extra winter clothes including shoes, hats and gloves
• Compact shovel
• Traction aids (bag of sand or  cat litter) and tow strap
• Emergency flares
• Jumper cables
• Non-perishable food and bottled water
• Road map
• Candles, matches, non-liquid firestarter.
• Special-needs items vehicle passengers may require.