This Tiny Tool Could Save Your Life In A Car Accident. It’s On Sale Right Now.

This safety tool cuts seatbelts and breaks windows — and it’s on sale for the first time in weeks.
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Whether you’re roadtripping for the holidays or just running errands, driving in the elements requires extra safety precautions. A few seasons back, when I interviewed my own mechanics for their wintertime tips, they recommended a glovebox emergency multi-tool that’s since taken off with HuffPost readers. When the story was shared on HuffPost’s Instagram, many commenters reported their loved ones using the tool to escape from car accidents, calling it a great practical gift for new drivers or anyone with a car. And today, a highly-rated, best-selling option is on sale for just under $10, for the first time in weeks.

As Carmen Campione, part of the third generation of the family-owned AC Auto Repairs in Philadelphia (and my mechanic), previously told HuffPost, the chances of car accidents are generally higher in closer to the winter season. From snow impairing your vision to ice on the highway, the colder months can elevate safety risks.

My mechanic recommends keeping this tool in your car all the time, but especially in the winter.

Car windows are stronger than you may think, and they can be extra hard to break when your car is compromised by an accident. “People don’t realize how hard it is to break glass,” Campione previously said. Plus, in a moment of crisis, if you’re moving around quickly, your seatbelt may lock, and you may struggle to get out of it.

If you’re in an accident or your car ends up in water, this tool can help sever your seatbelt or break your car window to get out.

Additionally, Campione said if you have a totally electric vehicle, your door handles may malfunction during an accident, meaning it can be impossible to get out without breaking the window.

Though she luckily hasn’t had to use it yet, parent and HuffPost follower Raquel Fletcher said she keeps a car multitool with her whenever she’s driving. “It has a razor-sharp cutting blade for car seats to get [a] child out in case of emergency,” she commented on the Instagram post.

Commenters shared that you should keep this device within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat — in the glove box, middle console or the side door. If you keep it in the trunk or backseat, it may be hard to reach during an emergency.

Read on more about this window-breaking, seatbelt-cutting tool and see some other highly-rated, budget-friendly options:

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An emergency multitool that doubles as a seatbelt cutter and car window breaker (17% off)

This dual-headed safety hammer has been a strong seller with HuffPost readers and is finally under $10 again. It's made with a pointed spike with a protective cap, a flat-head hammer and a sharp blade to cut seatbelts. It has a 4.7-star rating, with reviews calling it a "must-have" and a handy tool for all drivers. Amazon user Andrew C. wrote that it sits "driver-side door well," so it's easy to grab in the case of an emergency. According to our price trackers, the orange option is closer to 17% off, though it also comes in pink and glow-in-the-dark green.

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Amazon

Or, set of two glow-in-the dark safety hammers (17% off)

If your family has more than one car, this set of two emergency hammers gets you more for your dollar, and the green color glows in the dark, after being exposed to light. (Though this 2-pack also comes in pink and orange.) Amazon user Smora13 says they purchased this two-pack for an upcoming road trip. "It's a very inexpensive way to cover yourself in case of an accident where having a product like this handy might save your life or the life of someone you love," they wrote. This pair is also about 17% off, according to our trackers.

Promising review: "After a second friend got into an accident and was stuck in their car, I decided I should probably be prepared and have one of these. Like insurance, I think it is something you should have and hope you never need. I looked at a lot of these, and ended up choosing this one. Many of them seemed to be a bit too big to easily store within reach, or some like the spring loaded keychain models seemed to be too small and could be hard to find when you're upside down or sinking. These seems to be the perfect size to stow in a console compartment or door pocket. of course there is no way to test this without destroying your car, but it does look like it would do the job. I also like that it is a two pack so I get one for me and one for my wife." — smcphee23

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Amazon

A set of two seat belt cutters from Amazon Basics

Even Amazon has its own version of the emergency tool which boasts an impressive 4.7-star ranking. This pair of hammers also features a double-head with a seatbelt cutter on the handle. They each come with a protective bracket included for storing it safely in your car. “I had one of these for a long time in my car. This is one of those things you help you never have to use,” wrote a reviewer named Momoftwoboys1972, who explained that after using it once, they purchased it for everyone. “I came upon a rollover accident where the driver was trapped inside her vehicle. We used the window punch to get through the glass and the seatbelt cutter to cut her out safely.”

For more important emergency supplies you should own (that aren’t just batteries or a flashlight), check out this list from shopping writer Erica Kam.

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Amazon

A handy multitool (33% off)

If you're not planning on buying a whole kit, it's helpful to have at least one multitool that can come in handy in multiple types of emergencies. This 13-in-1 gadget is multipurpose with a rope cutter, two types of pliers, wire cutters, multiple screwdrivers and files, a bottle opener, a saw and other knives. It weighs 8 ounces and folds down to be only 4.3 by 1.4 inches. Each tool can be opened separately with ease. This could also make a great gift for your favorite outdoorsy person. Get it for 33% off, the lowest price we've ever spotted it at.

Promising review: "This tool is fantastic! It has everything you’d need in an emergency. I’ve taken it fishing and camping and I carry it in my car. It’s an all around great purposeful tool and it’s made so well!" — Yvonne Lowery

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Amazon

A portable hand-crank lantern and power generator (20% off)

We've previously covered this portable hand-crank camping lantern and power generator that has a built-in rechargeable battery (via USB-C), as well as a hand crank to generate electricity on its own when you're stuck in a power outage or without access to outlets. And not only can it provide needed light in four different modes plus a dimming function, but you can also use it to charge your devices in a pinch, with its USB-C and USB-A output.

Clip the on-page coupon to get a 20% off discount applied at checkout.

Promising review: "It works just as advertised. I used the crank for 2-3 minutes. It charged up my Apple Watch from 0 to 100% in 30 minutes. It still had most of the charge left. The lights work great and do not drain the power quickly. Very happy." — Amazon Customer

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Amazon

This portable outdoor generator from a trusted brand (47% off)

You know the deal by now; keeping your devices charged is major for emergencies, so you can stay in contact with loved ones and get important information and updates on the situation. This Anker portable generator has a retractable light, SOS button, USB-C and USB-A ports and can charge your laptop and phone simultaneously. The 60,000mAh capacity can keep the lamp lit for 42.3 hours, potentially coming in clutch during a long blackout. The portable generator has a convenient handle for carrying, and has solar panel compatibility. Get it for a whopping 47% off.

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Walmart

A 250-piece survival kit for under $40

You can never be sure exactly what you'll need when disaster strikes, so why not have it all ready to go in one handy kit just in case? This 250-piece kit caught HuffPost readers' attention en masse when we covered it previously (and as a bonus, it seems to go on sale for under $40 semi-regularly, like it is at Walmart right now). The kit contains necessities for nearly every situation imaginable: a first aid kit, compass, shovel, emergency tent, fire starter and so much more. All of the items fit inside a compact backpack you can stash at home or in the car.

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Amazon

The Jackery Explorer 1000 portable power station (10% off)

While the hand crank lantern mentioned earlier is great for charging small devices, you'll probably want something with a little more juice for longer-term power outages. That's where the Jackery Explorer 1000 comes in: This HuffPicks Award winner has three AC outlets, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port and LED lights to meet all your power and charging needs in an emergency. With a lifespan of over 10 years, smart app control to easily switch between charging modes and a compact design that's easy to store in your trunk or basement, this can make a huge difference during a power outage or other emergency to keep your devices — and your car battery — charged. Get it for 10% off.

Promising review: "I bought this with the intention of CPAP backup. Less than a week after receiving this product, an overnight thunder storm knocked out 2 transformers in town and we lost power for about 3-4 hours before crews could make repairs. I slept right through the entire deal and wondered why the microwave clock was flashing in the morning.

This product works exactly as designed and is an absolute blessing! If you've ever been woken up by your CPAP losing power you know how rude of a wake up that is.... avoiding that just one time makes the price worth it to me! Do yourself a favor and get a power station." — BigD

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Amazon

An ultralight, waterproof emergency sleeping bag

In addition to blankets to keep you warm, an emergency sleeping bag can come in handy when you might not know where your next sleep will happen. This option by Sierra Madre is water- and windproof, and the thermal material reflects 90% of body heat to keep you nice and toasty in the cold. The bag is durable and reusable, and packs down into a travel sack that's small enough to throw in your go bag or car glovebox. The sleeping bag comes in a high-visibility orange.

Promising review: "We have them in all our vehicles. My son went camping with one and he put it inside his regular sleeping bag. It kept him very toasty although it was less than 32° outside the tent. Perfect for emergencies. Light weight and takes very little space to keep handy" — Denise Harris

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Amazon

The reader- and expert-beloved Lifestraw personal water filter

Another HuffPicks Award winner, the LifeStraw personal water filter originally came to HuffPost's attention with a recommendation from survivalist Ky Furneaux. "It’s light and doesn’t take up much room so it isn’t a huge inconvenience for something that may save your life," she said. "Just knowing that water purification is taken care of takes a load off your mind and allows you to fully focus on other needs."

The Lifestraw removes over 99% of waterborne bacteria, parasites and microplastics down to 1 micron with its compact filtration system, so you can safely drink directly out of streams and lakes. It's not just for camping, though — this is a great product to have on hand at home for natural disasters or in case you don't have clean running water during an emergency.

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

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