Regarding roadside safety, most people think about having a jack and spare tire. Others may think of roadside assistance provided by their insurance policy which sends out a tow truck driver. Most do not think about everyday items that can be essential to their journey on the road if something occurs and roadside assistance is not available.

Sure, each vehicle on the road is now equipped with a spare tire, but how can you change a spare tire during a snowstorm without gloves or particular leverage? Or what if you’re suddenly stuck on the road due to an accident, and you can’t possibly keep your car with the heat running on for hours? Plus, roadside assistance is probably unable to reach you in this type of winter scenario.

In the next section, we’ll dive deeply into some of the most ingenious gadgets people keep in their vehicles during winter in Ohio.

Stay Prepared for the Winter Season in Ohio

Winter season in the midwest is no joke. The cold season lasts from December to March, with an average daily high temperature below 46°F.

The coldest month of the year in Columbus is January, with an average low of 24°F and a high of 37°F.

Various news stories throughout the year show people getting stuck in their cars during a blizzard unprepared and either catching hypothermia or risk death.

Plan ahead and try to stay safe on the road this winter by carrying the following few gadgets in your car:

1. Weatherproof winter gloves and traction mats

Keep these in the back of your car for emergencies. The gloves will save your hands from frostbite if you need to change a tire in the snow, and the traction mats can get you out of a tight, slippery spot and work on snow, ice, mud, and sand.

2. Foldable aluminum shovel

Talk about versatility in 2022! Nowadays, many manufacturers design foldable shovels that are easy to store under a car seat.

This eliminates the need to have enough space for a shovel in your car, and most are made out of top-grade aluminum, which means they won’t rust while you shovel your car out of a snow drift. (Featured image courtesy of https://www.amazon.com/)

3. Fleece blankets or a weatherproof sleeping bag

As mentioned above, there are numerous stories on the news each year when there is a tragic chain accident on the highway, and hundreds of cars get stranded right behind. Since it’s unsafe to keep your car running for hours for heat, you should carry a warm fleece blanket or weatherproof sleeping bag.

This can be handy for sleeping children, older adults, or pets.

Stay safe out there!

And, of course, reach out to our agency if you need better insurance coverage at an affordable rate this coming Winter in Lancaster, Ohio.