WINTER CAR ORGANIZATION…IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

As I look out the window, there’s no denying it any longer. The trees are bare, snowflakes are falling, and the sky has that greyish dreary hue. Winter is here. Oh sure, I know it doesn’t officially begin until late December. But here in Northeast Ohio, winter weather typically begins to rear it’s ugly head right about now. And when winter weather strikes, it’s time for winter car organization.

For me, prepping the interior of the car for winter involves two tasks:

1. Creating a winter emergency car kit
2. Restocking my passenger seat car organizer with winter essentials

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WINTER CAR ORGANIZATION: EMERGENCY KIT

If you experience severe winter weather where you live, then you know all too well how important it is to prepare for the worst. Creating a winter emergency car kit can literally be a life-saver.

My emergency car kit typically includes:

• Water and food
• Flashlight
• Blanket/hats/gloves
• Ice scrapers
• Windshield washer fluid
• Jumper cables (these are always in the car, but I transfer them from under the wheel well to the car kit in the winter)
• Tire Tracks

Some additional items that are crucial to have on hand in case of an emergency include a phone charger and a first aid kit. If you’re like me, these are items that you carry with you in the car year-round.

Other items to consider including in your winter emergency car kit are:

• bag of sand
• small shovel
• A can of Fix-a-Flat (there’s NOTHING worse than changing a a flat tire on the side of the highway in January. Been there. Done that.)
• brightly colored cloth to tie to your antenna & other items that can help with roadside visibility

I need to take my own advice and add these items to my kit over the next week!

WINTER CAR ORGANIZATION: FRONT SEAT ESSENTIALS

Once the car is prepped for a winter emergency, I turn my attention to making sure all of the driver creature comfort requirements are covered.

I take a bit of time to restock my car organizer that hangs on the front side of my mini-van passenger seat. In the summer, I use it to store sunscreen and insect repellent, which I swap out for hand lotion, tissues, anti-bacterial wipes and lip balm during the winter months.

This organizer is also home to a few basic pet supplies (a portable water dish and some waste bags), snacks for preventing hangry episodes, pens/Post-It notes, and my trusty coupon organizer — so crucial to have on hand during the holiday shopping season.

Winter car organization is one of those mini-organizing projects that you can complete relatively quickly AND it offers a huge return on your investment by giving you peace of mind throughout the coming season. You’ll know that you’re prepared for anything that Old Man Winter decides to dole out this year!