Being prepared is more than just having a 72-hour kit or food storage. It also means having all the necessary items in your car in case of an emergency.

How prepared would you be if you were stranded on the side of the road in -10 degree weather? Do you know what essentials should be in your trunk that could save your life?

We'll show you how to make an emergency kit for your car, how to winterize and summerize your vehicles, what to do in case of an emergency and much more.

Trunk Style - Preparing Your Car for Emergencies
By Lori Garcia, editor-in-chief

How to Make an Emergency Kit for your Car
There are some critical elements to an emergency kit for your car. Here recommendations from the pros:

Blankets, scarves, gloves, extra clothes:
Although blankets, scarves, gloves and such seems pretty obvious, especially in cold weather, they are imperative articles for a car's emergency kit. Wool or thermal blankets are better for colder climates. Bringing a set of extra clothes is a good idea in case your clothes get wet, tear, or soiled.

Kitty litter and a small shovel
Kitty litter can be sprinkled around tires to give snow, ice or any slick surface some traction. A shovel is nice to help dig your tires out…should they get stuck in thick snow.

Flares, flashlight, cell phone:
Flares are a great way to signal other drivers in case of an emergency. Flares also help warn other cars of your stalled vehicle. The flashlight is a no-brainer in the dark, and the cell phone is a nice safety device if you have that option. If you cannot afford a monthly service plan, try finding a prepaid cell phone option that only charges you when you use it. These are usually more expensive per minute, but are a cheaper alternative if you limit your usage to emergencies. (Better not let your teenage daughter know about it! You know a wardrobe crisis for a dance is enough of an emergency for her!)

Auto Club Membership:
If you can afford this option, it will help give you some piece of mind. If you have a not-so-reliable car, this might just pay for itself time and again. Auto Clubs often include full services for one small monthly service. You can get your vehicle towed, jump-started, unlocked, etc., in usually less than an hour.

Jumper cables:
If your battery is drained and you need a jump, jumper cables are a must. Make sure they are at least 12 feet long. It is not always easy to fit the charging vehicle adjacent to your stalled vehicle. An even better option is a battery-powered jumpstart. It's the same as the jumper cables, but you can jumpstart your own car using the jumpstart's battery power.

Two quarts of oil, gallon of antifreeze:
Oil leaks and just regular usage can cause levels to become low. Keeping an extra couple of quarts in your trunk is just good practice for being prepared. A gallon of antifreeze or coolant is also a good thing to have on hand. If your car is overheating or working in record cold temps, fresh antifreeze is a must.

First aid kit
In your first aid kit, don't forget to include essentials such as bandages, Band-Aids, gauze, tape, scissors, aspirin (or other pain killer), antiseptic cream or spray, etc.

Basic tools:
In an emergency situation it's a good idea to have basic tools at your finger tips such as flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, etc. Other useful items in this category are a pocket knife, ice scraper, pen and paper (this is especially helpful to write a "HELP" or "CALL 911" sign.)

Spare tire, jack, tire inflator:
Getting stuck with a flat tire is no picnic. Make sure your spare tire is in good condition. Have a jack on hand and when in doubt tire inflator, such as Fix-a-Flat. Also a tire-pressure gauge will help make sure you are not over or under inflating a tire.

Rags, paper towels, baby wipes, duct tape:
Rags, paper towels and baby wipes are great for quick clean ups. Duct tape has a million and one uses, many of which will help in an emergency situation.

Food and water:
Food and water are essential to keep on hand in case of an emergency. Granola, protein, or energy bars have nutrients and are usually high in calories to help you keep up your strength. Bottled water will be especially necessary on a hot day. Try being stranded on the roadside in a desert for several hours without water and air condition.

What to Do in Case of an Emergency

Stay highly visible
The last thing you want to do is blend in with the road. This will make it harder for traffic to see you and thus increase your changes of getting hit. Use emergency lights in both day and night. If you cannot get off the road, set up flares to alert traffic.

Don't abandon your vehicle
Don't leave your car to go for help or stand along the roadside. According to State trooper Tracy Brown-Vacura, "it is safer to remain in your vehicle with your seat belt on and place a sign in your window that says 'Call Police' or 'Send Help.'" She goes on to say that "if you're sitting in your car with your seat belt on, you run less of a risk of being injured by another driver." Wait until a uniformed law enforcement officer arrives. If you do have to exit your car, get out from the door away from traffic. If you must leave your car, write down your name, date, and time you left your vehicle and the direction you are headed. Notify local law enforcement of the location of your car.

Keep doors and windows locked
People are often nice and willing to help, but you don't know which of those people are upstanding citizens. Make sure you never open your door to a stranger. Instead, use a sign, like mentioned above.

Use cell phones when vehicle is stationary
Pull off the road and park in a safe place such as a parking lot or driveway to make a call. The shoulder of the road is not the safest place, but better than talking while driving.

Make seat belt adjusters for your kids
Brown-Vacura says you can easily make your own seat belt adjusters for your kids. She says, "if you are concerned about a seat belt rubbing against your child's face, simply cut the bottoms off of low-ply anklet socks and slip them over the seat belts. Position the sock on the belt, where it may come in contact with the child's face."