Last week we got our first taste of winter weather for the 2019-2020 season and it definitely caught us by surprise (I mean, c’mon, it was record-breaking!) El Niño? La Niña? Why’d you leave us? Although most of it has melted by now, this flash snowstorm had us preparing our winter emergency car kit before the next storm hits.

We talked to the experts, our LawnGuru Pros, and ranked the top 5 “budget-friendly” items they won’t leave the house without during a heavy snow event.

1.) A Quality Ice Scraper (specifically this one)

Blue and silver metal snowbrush and ice scraper to help during an emergency

Throw out those small plastic scrapers, this 3-foot metal snow brush is so worth it! Yes, we said metal because plastic breaks. Better yet, this sucker is only $15 and can be in your hands as soon as tomorrow (thanks Amazon).

2.) A Travel Sized Snow Shovel

Blue retractable handle winter shovel to help during an emergency

Okay, our Pros don’t actually use these themselves, they use the real deal, heavy-duty, pro-grade metal (there’s that word again) shovels, but in all their wives’ cars, they make sure they’re equipped with this bad boy.

Why do they love it? It’s durable, affordable, and the extendable handle makes it compact enough to fit easily in the trunk!

3.) Windshield Washer Fluid

Windshield Wiper Fluid That Works in Negative winter Temperatures  during a winter emergency

Picture this: you’re on the highway behind the slowest semi-truck ever with salt spewing from their tires right onto you. Seems like an easy fix, so you flick on your washer fluid… but it freezes as it hits your windshield. Now you can’t see.

It’s happened to all of us and it’s a total drag. Forget all of the other fluids and refill with an all-season’s washer fluid, this $h%t works in -27 degree temps!

4.) Kitty Litter (yes you read that right)

Purina kitty litter to help with tire traction control during a winter emergency

There’s really nothing worse than getting stuck on ice. It’s a helpless feeling when your wheels are spinning with nothing to grip. Try pouring some kitty litter around your tires to help regain traction – it’s a lifesaver, you can even ask Garfield!

5.) A Warm Blanket

Grey Sherpa fleece winter blanket for a winter emergency

Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, your car just stops working. It’s definitely not because you forgot to service it on time, or because it’s your mom’s hand-me-down, the car is just a POS. So, if your POS stops working, keep a warm blanket handy in case you or your passengers are without a jacket!

While these winter emergency car kit items are useful, the best thing to do during a snowstorm is to stay off the road until the inclement weather passes.

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