We list all the key items you should keep in your car and at home in the winter
January and February often bring some very wintry conditions to the UK, and it can be a challenging time of year for many reasons, but it's a crucial time to ensure your car is ready for any severe cold snaps that might be looming.
Dark nights, frosty mornings, icy roads and sudden snowfall are among the hazards faced by motorists as we take on our essential journeys - and the best advice anyone can give you is to be prepared.
This means checking your car is performing well, your fluids are topped up, and your tyres are in good condition - but there are also a few essentials you should have on board to ensure you and your occupants are safe and prepared for any eventuality.
Here's a round-up of the essential kit you need for winter, and we've worked with Halfords to help you make it easy to compile a shopping list, by picking out our favourite items from their online store.
Ice scraper and de-icer
You might have one of these in your hallway, but you also need to have something in your car during the colder months, because your car's windows and mirrors can freeze or fog up very quickly in severe cold snaps, and it's essential to make sure they're clear before setting off on the road.
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Clear your windscreen in minutes with an ice scraper and de-icer (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Ice scrapers are one of the best solutions, if you don't mind a bit of manual labour. De-icing sprays work well, and quickly, but prolonged use of chemical de-icers can be bad for your paintwork.
Importantly though, driving with limited vision, caused by ice or condensation on your windscreen, could result in a £60 fine and three points on your licence. So make sure you have something to hand.
I love these really simple scrapers at Halfords, and they're so cheap at only £1.70
Fully charged mobile phone
Obviously, a mobile phone can be a lifeline if you have a problem while you're out and about. It might be a breakdown, or you could be stuck in the snow.
But we all know what modern technology can be like, and we know that batteries can go flat quite quickly, especially in cold weather.
So it's absolutely vital to have a means of charging your handset in your car. Some cars will have a USB socket, so all you'll need is a compatible lead, but there's a good range of chargers that hook up to the car's cigarette lighter socket, and these can be more powerful. A fast charge might be important if you're in a pickle.
If you're a member of a breakdown service, then make sure that you have their number to hand too. You’ll usually receive a card to keep in your wallet when you sign up, as well as a member’s booklet that you can keep in the glove box.
Halfords is a great source of Belkin kit, which I love, and this one is my pick.
Warm clothing
If your car has broken down in an isolated spot and you have no way of running the engine to warm up, it's worth having a contingency plan to keep the chill off you. It's so easy to lob an extra coat in the car, or a blanket, or even just a scarf and gloves.
Halfords sells this marvellous little hand-warmer set for just a few quid, that could make a big difference if you're having to perform a roadside repair somewhere.
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Keep the heat in with warm clothing (Getty Images/Stock4B Creative)Hi-vis clothing
If you do have to get out of the car, either to wait for help or perhaps clear snow, you need to be seen.
With fewer daylight hours in winter, it can get dark very quickly, so a hi-vis jacket or vest will mean you won't be missed by other drivers.
Even just a brightly-coloured coat is better than nothing, but here's a cheap hi-vis jacket that folds away nice and small and costs less than a fiver.
Snow shovel
It might seem like it doesn't snow all that often in the UK these days, but when it does, a snow shovel could be a life-saver. They're not the easiest of things to carry, but Halfords sells a selection of telescopic shovels, which are a bit more portable. Here's my favourite.
A shovel will help you get on your way if the snow is thick (Getty)If you're setting off from home and you need to clear your driveway quickly, you'll also find the job much easier if you use a broom as well. Keeping any sort of shovel and a good broom within easy reach during the winter is a really good idea.
Food and snacks
The glove compartment is a good place to keep some snacks to keep energy levels up and blood sugars in check. Protein cereal bars are a great choice and easy to store. A couple of chocolate bars and some bottles of water will stand you in good stead if you find yourself stuck for any reason.
De-icing salt
This is definitely something worth having in your motoring cupboard, or even in your car. Spread a little salt on the surface, and it'll not only start to melt the ice, but it'll provide some temporary protection from ice forming.
Get some grip under your wheels with de-icing salt (Getty)At home, putting this down on your footpaths or driveway is a really good idea, not just for you and your family, but for anyone who comes to visit, too.
A big 5kg tub like this one should last a good while, and it costs less than a tenner at Halfords.
Snow chains or snow socks
This might seem an extreme step, but it could be the difference between getting home and spending the night stuck in a cold car.
Snow chains or snow socks are easier than you might think to fit, and they can really get you out of a sticky situation.
They could also be a potential lifeline if you get snowed in at home and you need to get somewhere urgently.
Although, it's worth remembering, when the weather is severe, only travel if you absolutely have to.
Here's a selection of options on sale at Halfords. Make sure you find the right one to fit your car's wheel size. If in doubt, chat to staff at your local store.
Wear the right footwear
This sounds obvious, but setting out on a snowy journey with just a pair of Italian loafers is really silly. You might want to look good when you arrive, but having a good set of boots to hand is a good idea.
These boots will keep you sturdy and your feet warm (Aldi)You can also buy ice grips that fit to the bottom of your boots, which will give you a bit more purchase in slippery conditions, but just having a decent set of shoes to hand in case they're needed is definitely worth it.
Emergency warning triangle
This is a really cheap but very effective way of warning approaching traffic that there's a hazard around the corner. Place a warning triangle 45 metres away from your stricken vehicle, on the same side of the road, and you'll have extra peace of mind. Just be careful when placing it and receiving it.
They're quite cheap to buy, fold down very small, and this one can be picked up from your local Halfords store.
If your car does break down, then an emergency warning triangle placed 45 metres (147 feet) behind your vehicle on the same side of the road will alert other vehicles that you're ahead. Just be careful when you're retrieving it.
If you breakdown, alert oncoming traffic with a warning triangleTow rope
A quality tow rope is a compact thing to stow away in a cubby hole, and you might never need it, but if you ever do, you'll bless the day you bought it.
Make sure it's a decent one, ensure it stays dry, and always make a note of where your car's towing eye is. Halfords sells this two-tonne rope, but check your car's weight first, and it's always a good idea to buy a bigger tow rope than you actually need.
Jump leads or a jump pack
Car batteries really suffer in the colder months, and a flat battery can catch you by surprise. Getting them going again can be relatively easy, but not if you haven't got a set of jump leads or a jump pack to hand.
It's something every motorist hopes they'll never need, but they might do one day, so it's worth making the investment.
Halfords has a range of jump-starting packs, starting at £60.99, and jump leads can cost as little as £10.99 - but make sure whatever you do buy is man enough for the job. The bigger the engine, the more they're going to cost.
Tyre inflator
This isn't just a winter essential, it's something that's always worth having to hand, so pop one on your Christmas list.
Sometimes punctures are just too big, and that's why we need spare tyres or repair kits, but if your tyre is going down slowly enough, a good tyre inflator might just be able to get you home, or at least to the nearest garage.
Brilliant - The compact and effective Ring RTC4000 cordless tyre inflatorIf you suffer a puncture and the tyre isn't completely blown, then having a tyre inflator will mean you can add enough air to get you to your destination or the nearest garage.
They can be surprisingly compact these days, and I just love this little Michelin one that's currently on offer at Halfords.
First-aid kit
Another in-car essential that you should be carrying all year round. You never know when you or one of your passengers might need a first aid kit, so there's no reason not to carry one with you. Halfords sells very inexpensive first-aid kits like this one, but they're widely available - chances are you could get one on your next supermarket shop.
Torch
Dark nights are no fun whatsoever, especially if you're stuck somewhere in the dark. And a torch is a small, cheap and very handy thing to have to hand.
Many of us have one on our smartphones these days, but they're not ideal for use in winter, and a decent torch is still a very worthwhile accessory on any journey.
Here's a really cheap and simple one that won't really take up any space.
Save your smartphone battery and get a torch instead (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Spare car bulbs
You’re likely to do more driving in the dark during the winter thanks to the shorter days, so it’s even more important to make sure that all your lights are working – not only is it unsafe to have one out, it’s also illegal. Keep some spares in the car to make sure you can get home safely. Halfords will help you find the right ones for your car.
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