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So your vehicle’s well-maintained with a good heater, wipers, great winter tires, fresh coolant and the whole deal…but you still need to be prepared for the worst in an Anchorage, AK winter. Here’s some ideas for a well-stocked trouble bag for your car:

--Flashlight and batteries: that one’s self-explanatory.

--Blanket, gloves, sweater, cap: If you’re stranded, this can make the difference between life and death. Consider a metallic space blanket to save a little room.

--Charged-up cell phone: You can maybe just keep a cheap prepaid “burner phone” in the vehicle; they usually have a really long battery life compared to a smartphone. At least keep a charged-up power bank on hand.

--Tools:  You don’t need a full tool kit, but a good quality Leatherman-style multi-tool can come in real, real handy…as can a roll of duct tape.

--Fix-a-Flat: Self-explanatory. If you get a flat and you’re lucky enough for the tire to not be shredded before you can make it to the shoulder, a Fix-a-Flat type product can get you on your way again.

--First-aid kit: A good first aid kit should include gauze, bandage tape, band-aids, burn cream, antiseptic ointment, scissors and aspirins, at the minimum.

--Snacks: It’s important to keep high-protein snacks on hand, such as beef jerky or canned tuna (with a can opener!). If you’re stranded, they’ll keep you feeling full and satisfied a lot longer than carbohydrate-laden snacks like chips or crackers.

--Jumper cables: No explanation necessary.

--Sand or kitty litter: Either can help you get traction to get out of snow or ice.

This may sound like a lot of stuff to carry around, but you can keep it all in one place in a milk crate…and if you’re driving an SUV or minivan, it’s not really that bulky anyway. At Alignment Center AK, we want you to stay safe this winter and don’t take chances out there. If you’ve got any concerns about your vehicle, make an appointment with us and let us make sure everything’s good to go before the snow starts piling up!