Drivers who live in climates with cold, snowy winters need to have a special emergency car kit designed to address changing seasonal demands.  Dealing with an emergency in snow is very different than addressing trouble in warm weather.  So if you're traveling in the winter or if you're new to living and driving in a snowy climate, here's a few tips to winterizing your emergency car kit.

Cold temperatures can affect your car in dramatic ways.  Finding your keyhole frozen first thing in the morning is an unpleasant surprise; in some situations, this can be a serious problem.  To address this, carry a small vial of de-icer on your keychain.  These are available at auto supply shops and will let you unlock your car quickly and easily. 

Preparing for trouble is the first step in preventing it.  If your car isn't under a shelter when it starts to snow, carefully lift your windshield wipers away from the windshield; most wipers are designed to do this.  Doing so prevents the wipers from sticking to the windshield, which is a real problem  when you're trying to get your car on the road after a snowstorm.  Being buried in ice and snow can damage the rubber wipers and make them less able to do their job; once damaged, you'll need to replace them, and that can be costly. 

Be sure to have the right kind of ice scraper in your car.  It might be tempting to buy a small scraper because they're usually inexpensive, but spend an extra dollar and get the kind that has a brush on it.  Having a combined scraper and brush reduces the items you need to carry in your car and provides you with everything you'll need to clear ice and snow off your car.  Consider getting a scraper with a long handle so you'll be able to brush snow off the roof, too. 

Cars can easily lose traction in snow.  If you become snowbound on the side of the road, you can use cat litter to give your car the traction necessary to get yourself back on the road.  Keep a bag of course litter in your car, then spread it around your tires to give them the grip they need to pull your vehicle to safety.  To help with this, you'll need a shovel.  You can find shovels with folding handles at army surplus stores as well as at auto supply shops. 

Winter weather presents very real dangers to you, as well.  If you do become stranded in your car during cold weather, you'll need ways to keep warm.  Keep a mylar or thermal blanket in your back seat along with extra gloves, socks, hats, and scarves; if there's room, add a parka, too.  Chemical handwarmers are inexpensive and can be found at outdoor retailers, emergency supply stores, and your neighborhood auto supply store.

Customizing your car's emergency kit for winter weather driving takes only a few minutes and can help prevent a bad situation from becoming worse.  Taking steps to prevent damage potentially caused by winter weather is only the first step; make sure you have the items you need to keep you and your vehicle safe in case of an emergency. 

Some car insurance policies include roadside assistance.  If this is something that you want to include in your car insurance package, talk to your insurance agent.  They'll be able to help you take steps to protecting yourself with car insurance.