Put These 7 Things In Your Toolbox Before Winter Hits
Winter has a funny way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re raking leaves, the next you’re chipping ice off your front steps. That’s why now is the best time to check that you have everything you need for winter in toolbox. Adding a few season-specific tools can make a big difference when things get icy, frozen, and covered in snow. You don’t have to be a handyman to be prepared, but with these tools, everyone in the neighborhood will think you are one.
A Stiff-Bristled Scrub Brush
You might not think of it as a winter tool, but a stiff brush can save you from slipping and falling. When ice melts and leaves a gritty residue on steps or entryways, or slush gets tracked inside, a good scrub brush helps keep things clean, dry, and safe. Bonus: a stiff-bristled brush works well for cleaning salt off your boots and car mats, too. Keep it right by the door or in your toolbox for quick cleanup duty.
Cold Weather Duct Tape
Regular duct tape doesn’t always stick when temperatures drop. Cold weather duct tape, though, is a whole different story. It holds strong, even in freezing conditions, and can temporarily seal a drafty window, patch a broken car mirror, or keep a loose gutter in check until you can fix it properly. When winter hits, cold weather duct tape is one of those “didn’t know I needed it until I did” kind of things.
Emergency Flashlight with Extra Batteries
This one sounds basic, but people forget about it more often than you’d think. If a storm knocks the power out or you need to check on something in a dark corner of the garage, having a dependable flashlight within reach is so important. Go with an LED flashlight, keep spare batteries taped to it, and maybe even stash a spare flashlight in your car too. When winter comes and days start to get shorter, you need to be ready to deal with the darkness.
Adjustable Wrench for Frozen Fittings
When outside faucets or fittings freeze up, you don’t want to be fumbling around, looking for the perfect wrench in your tool kit. An adjustable wrench gives you the flexibility you need to handle unusual sizes without needing to buy a whole set. Use it to tighten hose bibs, loosen frozen nuts, or even shut off water lines quickly in a pinch. It’s one of those tools that quietly does a lot more than you expect.
Lock De-Icer or Graphite
There’s nothing worse than being stuck outside your house or car because the lock is frozen shut. A little lock de-icer or powdered graphite stashed in your toolbox (or car dash) can save the day. It’s one of those winter tools that’s easy to forget until the exact moment you desperately need it. Keep a de-icer in a safe place near each door, both on the inside and outside of the house.
Compact Hand Warmer
This might seem more like a hiking essential than a toolbox essential, but hear me out. Whether you’re dealing with a power outage or working on a repair in an unheated garage, a hand warmer can be a game changer. Go for reusable ones over single-use packets so that you only have to buy them once. It’s a small comfort, but in freezing temperatures, having warm hands makes a big difference. You’ll be able to work for longer, and it’s much easier to use your hands when you can actually feel your fingers.
A Small Crowbar or Pry Tool
You never know when a window might freeze shut or a plank of wood needs to be pulled open. A small crowbar or multi-use pry tool fits easily into most toolboxes and actually gets a lot more use when winter comes. The crowbar is not just for big jobs either, it can be super handy when dealing with storm doors that swell shut or debris that has frozen to an icy sidewalk. The right crowbar can give you some gentle leverage when winter isn’t playing nice.
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Winter might come in fast and cold, but it doesn’t have to catch you off guard. Stocking your toolbox now with a few of these handy additions helps you tackle the season with a little less hassle. Some of these items are simple, and you probably already have a few of them, but together they give you the kind of peace of mind that’s hard to buy once the snow’s already falling. A few minutes of prep now saves a lot of shivering and frozen hands later.
Bliss Donahue-Power
