Well I had another post planned for today, but in light of the outrageous-full-monty-hellacious-blizzard that’s happening AS WE SPEAK, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you our Emergency Car Kit. After my traumatizing near death experience of getting stranded in a snow storm, I’ve learned first hand just how important these items are!
What to put in a Winder Emergency Survival Kit:
Before I break it down, I want to first say that the two most important things are to HAVE A FULLY CHARGED CELL PHONE WITH YOU, and to MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST A HALF TANK OF GAS.
So super important!
Ok let’s talk about these items:
- Snacky-snacks – you just may need the extra energy to dig yourself out!
- Jumper cables – always a good idea to have with you, even in the summer
- Blanket – it can be old, it can be ugly… all that matters is that it’s WARM!
- Gloves/hat/scarf – no explanation needed!
- Matches – and make sure they’re in a waterproof container!
- Fix-a-Flat – Don’t let a flat tire be the reason you’re stranded!
- Candle – again, it can be old and ugly!
- Reflective strips – to put on your antenna, or yourself if you find yourself walking
NOT PICTURED
- A bottle of water (or several)
- Chain or ropes
- Baggie of kitty litter or sand
- Pocket knife
- Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Windshield Scraper
It goes without saying that if DOT advises you not to travel… just don’t. But if you’re stubborn like my husband (or myself before I learned my lesson), PLEASE at least be prepared for the worst!
I found this valuable information from our local news station website last night before the storm hit:
–Use your mobile phone to call 911 for emergency assistance. Guide emergency personnel to your location by observing any exit numbers, mileposts, crossroads or landmarks.
–Pull as far off the road as possible to avoid getting hit by other vehicles.
–Turn on your vehicle’s warning/flashing lights.
–Remain calm and be patient. It may take considerable time for someone to reach your vehicle during a storm as emergency personnel typically are assisting multiple persons.
–If you become stranded, run your vehicle about 10 minutes every hour to stay warm.
–Crack a window in the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide build-up; and clear away any snow from the vehicle’s tailpipe so the exhaust can escape.
–Utilize the resources in your winter survival kit.
Please be safe my fellow-mid-western-people! I hope you all are snuggled up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, humming Justin Beiber’s ‘Under the Mistletoe’.
Can you think of any important items that we forgot? Do you have a story of winter-time trauma/survival to share? I told you mine, you tell me YOURS! Go…
My husband is such a sweetie and bought me one of those emergency car kits and it has been handy to have around.
Dry: Tissues, tp, or napkins. I hoard extra napkins(from fast food runs) in my vehicle. Basically, something dry as wet fingers turn into cold fingers…
Wet: I also like having cottonelle wipes. They double as tp, hand washing, face cleaning….
Another item I keep around is a reusable hand warmer that uses lighter fluid. I keep at least 2 per person. All they need are the funnel, a can of lighter fluid and matches or lighter and I’m warmer for 8-12 hours.
I had to laugh when I saw your photos. I thought your candle was a roll of tp. I thought to myself; “Gosh, I never thought of THAT problem.” LOL. I live in NE Iowa, and lived in the country and we always ran out of tp during a blizzard. Many of our friends would ride snowmobiles out to our house manned with tp for us.
I hadn’t thought of TP… but that’s definitely something that would be nice to have if you’re stranded for awhile. Good thought! 🙂
Lots of good ideas for the winter survival kit Beth. Fortunately I have not been stuck bad enough to have to sit in the car for long.
Make sure you have good tread on your tires in the winter time. Also I try to carry a small shovel to allow you to dig yourself out if needed. I have had to do that a time or two when trying to blast through snowdrifts across a country road.
I too can remember young drivers in my family that wouldn’t let a winter storm keep them home.
Bethany, I have to chuckle while I read this. Back in the day, you were the poster child for “nothing is going to happen to me” and “it’s more fun to go to the mall in a blizzard and pass all the cars in the ditch.” I love it!
Love that Suzanne! Thanks for sharing!
Also, one of our readers commented on our Facebook page about how ‘if you have children it’s very important to have extra diapers/wipes/bottles and such’ …AMEN TO THAT!
I have the one my mother had in HER car…except for the snowsuit..which she had. ALl the items you mentioned AND, a set of metal tracks with pick (like those that go over boots) for under the tires when you get stuck. The pics dig into the ice and the metal grids on the flip side give your tires grip. I never gotten stuck since. Now they make those commercially but my father had mine made years ago. Also, a jar of sand to plant your candles in helps so the candle will not topple. And a set of hot packs that heat up when you break the seal.