If the weather has taught us anything here in Toms River, NJ over the course of the last couple of weeks, it is that winter on the East Coast can get really nasty this time of year. Knowing that, we recommend that all Lester Glenn Subaru customers keep an emergency winter survival kit in their new and used Subaru cars.

While certain items may seem like common sense, such as jumper cables, an ice scraper and maybe even a little snow shovel, there are a few things that drivers tend to forget to store in their vehicles when this time of year rolls around. Here are a few life-saving items that you may not keep in your Subaru Outback yet, but probably should consider adding sometime soon:

A Portable Backup Battery

Some portable batteries actually are capable of jumping a dead battery should you find yourself stranded with no Good Samaritan in sight. Better still is that these batteries often have USB ports, which can help ensure that your cell phone stays charged until you no longer are stranded, and others still even come with built-in flashlights.

Blankets and/or Sleeping Bags

If your car breaks down and help takes a while to get there, warm blankets and sleeping bags can help keep you and your passengers from catching frostbite while you wait.

Kitty Litter

Believe it or not, kitty litter is great for helping stuck vehicles gain the traction they need to unstick themselves from slippery situations. You do not need a huge tub of it, but a small package could be enough to get you back on the road safely.

Adding these items to your winter survival kit could save your life or the lives of your passengers in what is sure to be continued brutal cold weather here in New Jersey. Take good care of yourself this winter season, and be careful out there!