Most people cannot avoid car travel during winter. If you venture out at all during the cold, stormy months, it's wise to take precautions to ensure your safety in case you're stranded by a sudden white-out, a traffic pile-up, a mechanical failure, a slide into a ditch, or even a plunge off a slippery embankment.
Carrying a fully-charged cell phone is not sufficient protection. There are areas which are not yet covered by the service. Even if you reach AAA or CAA, they may not work in extremely poor weather conditions and if they do, they will be extremely busy. It could be a long time until they reach everyone who needs help.
An emergency kit is an essential item to carry with you while driving during the winter months. If possible, it should be in the passenger compartment. If you have backed into a snow bank, been caught in white-out, or been rear-ended, you may not be able to easily access the trunk.
IN THE EMERGENCY KIT
* Enough water for yourself and everyone likely to be traveling with you, for at least 24 hours
* Necessary prescription medicine
* High-energy foods, peanuts, raisins, trail mix bars, etc. Chocolate is not advised because it can act as a diuretic, and you don't want to become dehydrated
* If traveling with a baby, formula and diapers
* Blankets, plastic garbage bags to retain body heat
* A cell phone and charger
* Candles and matches in a waterproof container
* Flashlight, with extra batteries
* A whistle, for attracting attention
* A First Aid Kit
* Gloves, glove liners, hat, boots, extra warm clothing
* Ice scraper and brush
* A distress sign for the window
* Pencil and paper
* A knife or scissors
* Three bright pieces of cloth, 2" wide and 36" long to tie to the antenna and door handles to attract attention.
* A large empty can with plastic lid and tissues for sanitary purposes.
IN THE TRUNK
* An extra flashlight and flares
* Sleeping bags
* Jumper cables
* Emergency tire sealant
* A bag of sand or cat litter
* Basic tool kit
* A small shovel
* Tire chains
* A rope
* A compass and maps
EXTRA SAFETY TIPS
Fully winterize your vehicle in the Autumn.
Always check the weather report before leaving. If it's at all doubtful, postpone your travel.
Keep the gas tank nearly full to help avoid ice in the tank or fuel lines.
Let someone know your timetable, and your primary and alternate routes.
Stay in your car if stranded. It's easy to become disoriented in a blizzard.
If the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, run the engine ten minutes per hour.
Open the windows slightly, at intervals, to guard against a possible build-up of carbon monoxide gas.
A vehicle well-prepared to confront the dangers of winter travel is something like an expensive insurance policy: you hope you never need to take advantage of it, but if you do, you're very glad you to took the trouble to obtain it.
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