Your Winter Emergency Survival Kit

Consider This...

On your way home, your car slides on an icy patch and you find yourself in a ditch, unable to maneuver out. You are stuck in the snow and find yourself stranded waiting for help to arrive. The wind is blowing at 25 mph and the temperature is 10 degrees. The wind chill is -24 degrees Fahrenheit. Frostbite and hypothermia can begin to occur in a very short time. Are you prepared?

If you live in an area which is prone to snow, you probably winterize your vehicle. You change the oil, check the anti-freeze level and check your tire pressure. Those of us living in the high country, even dig out our chains.

With just a little time and effort on your part, you can tip the odds of survival significantly in your favor, should the elements turn on you and threaten the lives of you and your family members.

At the beginning of each winter, I like to prepare an emergency road kit, which always travels with me. It takes up a little room but finding a container to fit your vehicle dimensions can make carrying around the added cargo as painless as possible.

Your Winter Emergency Survival Kit

· Blankets or Sleeping Bags (one for each person)
· Properly fitting tire chains
· Extra clothing, including hat and wind-proof pants, and warm footwear
· Flashlight (with extra batteries, check at least monthly)
· First Aid Kit
· Jumper Cables
· Safety Flares
· Plastic Bags
· Wooden Matches (sealed in waterproof container)
· Duct Tape
· Snack Food (high calorie, non-perishable)
· Drinking Water and/or Water Container
· Paper Towels
· An empty can with cover and tissues for sanitary purposes
· Shovel (the folding ones are great)
· Sack of Sand (or kitty litter) for traction
· Basic Tool Kit
· Tow Rope
· Compass
· Road Maps
· Gloves
· Snowscraper
· Cellular Phone (for emergencies)
· Radio
Note: You may find you have special needs requiring additional items, depending on your individual needs. This list is to be considered an aid in preparing for winter travel. Those with medical conditions will want to be sure to include any necessary medication or other health aid devices

If you have small children remember to add extra high carb snacks in your road kit, include some books or comics and possibly some small travel games to entertain them. I always keep several blankets in the trunk "just in case." They come in handy whenever a short trip turns into an unexpectedly long one.

If you are a family who spends a more time in the car than you do gathered around the kitchen table, consider getting a copy of Diane Flynn Keith's Carschooling book. It's jam packed with neat ideas for you and the kids. The book is not only educational, it's entertaining

Understanding Weather Conditions Road Smart