Winter Maintenance Part 2: Emergency Kit
- Selina Barker
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
In the wintertime, sunshine and mild conditions can quickly take a turn for the worse. High winds, snow, rain, sleet, hail, ice, or darkness are all conditions that increase your crash risk. Just as dangerous is your vehicle breaking down or getting stuck in these conditions. When it comes to adverse weather, your best bet is to avoid driving altogether. However, that’s not always possible, especially for those who drive for work. That’s why preparing yourself and your vehicle with an emergency kit is crucial to avoiding being caught out in the cold.
“Having [an emergency kit] is like wearing your seat belt. Hopefully you’ll never need [it], but if you do, it could be a life saver.”
What to Pack
To restore you and your loved ones’ peace-of-mind this season, put together an emergency preparedness kit to keep in your vehicle. This kit could be the difference between making it home safely and battling exposure.
Here are some things often recommended for a vehicle emergency kit:
A first aid kit
A scraper and snow brush
Paper maps of your area
A charged external battery compatible with your cell phone
A wind-up (non-battery operated) flashlight
Sand or non-clumping cat litter
Antifreeze
Jumper cables
Many of these items will be familiar to you as common staples of emergency preparedness. You may even have them as part of an emergency kit in your home. But some of these items have specific uses for when your vehicle becomes stuck in a ditch, snowbank, mud, or other soft terrain. For example, the sand or cat litter can be spread under your wheels to provide traction on soft or icy ground. The antifreeze can help clear ice off your windows, mirrors, doors, or other frozen parts. And the jumper cables will help restart your vehicle if the battery dies – just as long as you know how to use them!
If you are driving into more remote areas, you should plan for an emergency in which you could become stranded for longer periods of time. You may have a harder time contacting help if cell service is not strong in the area, and response crews may have a harder time finding you.
Here are some extra things to keep in your emergency kit if you often travel in remote areas:
Warm clothes and/or a blanket
Non-perishable food items and bottled water
An extra pair of shoes or boots
A shovel
A seatbelt cutter and window breaker
Flares
What Else to Prepare
The first step in any emergency is to remain calm and remember your preparation. To help yourself in an emergency situation, make sure your kit is easy to find. The last thing you want in an emergency is not being able to find the things that could help you.
“Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?”
Your kit should be accessible even if you are unable to release your seatbelt. For example, placing your kit under your seat or in your glove compartment will ensure you can still reach it easily if your mobility is restricted.
Make sure you tell everyone who rides in your vehicle about the emergency kit. While this may not seem that important, in an emergency situation you could be incapacitated, and your passengers need to know where they can access first-aid and other supplies.
If you travel with children, make sure to pack extra clothes, food, and entertainment for them. Games and books can help pass the time if you are stuck waiting for help for several hours. To prepare children for an emergency, practice what to do in the event of a crash or breakdown and teach them how to find and use the emergency kit in your vehicle.
What to Remember
In addition to your emergency kit, there are a few key things to remember in a collision or breakdown to help you make it home safely. Many of us rely on our cell phones to store vital information and don’t know the key safety information we’d need if we were to slip off the road or crash.
Always keep a copy of your insurance information in your vehicle so you can refer to it in an emergency situation. Your risk of collision is higher in treacherous winter weather, and you may need to share your insurance information or contact your provider for advice if your vehicle gets damaged.
It’s a good idea to know your own health information as this can be vital in an emergency. Make sure you know your blood type and the names of any medications you are taking.
Additionally, memorize one or two phone numbers of people you could call for help. If your cell phone runs out of battery, malfunctions, or you are unable to get service, knowing one or two numbers will allow you to call for help if you can get to a phone.
What to Do
If you find yourself stuck in cold weather and waiting for roadside assistance to arrive, stay inside your vehicle to conserve warmth. Turn the vehicle off, especially if you are stuck in the snow, as it can be dangerous to stay inside a running gas vehicle if the exhaust pipe is clogged. If you have to wait several hours, you can turn on your car for a few minutes to help yourself warm up again, but ensure your exhaust pipe is clear if you do so.
“The most important thing to do if you find yourself stuck in your car in the cold is to stay inside your vehicle and keep heated and hydrated, so water and extra blankets and clothes are essential.”
It can be easy to forget how dangerous driving really is, especially if you drive for work and braving the road feels like a mundane daily task. However, thousands of people who get on the road today won’t make it home. Collision rates increase in the winter due to longer periods of darkness and harsh weather conditions. Part of being a responsible driver is anticipating danger, and that includes adverse weather. The elements pose safety risks not just when you’re driving, but also in the event of a crash, breakdown, or any other situation in which you are rendered immobile. Don’t underestimate the weather – prepare for it.
Sources:
Comments