How To Prepare for a Winter Car Emergency

Instructions :

Read these helpful
safety tips to avoid
getting stuck on the
road this winter...

Preparing for storms and emergencies while on the road is especially important as temperatures drop. When the first snow flakes begin to fall, follow these tips to keep you and your family safe inside the car during the winter months. You'll be glad you did!

1. If you have a cell phone, remember to always bring it with you and make sure it is is fully charged. For long trips, invest in a car cell phone charger that you can plug into the cigarette lighter receptacle.

2. Inspect your car safety kit and replenish any missing items such as band aids, antibiotic cream, gauze.

3. Make sure you have a car jack, spare tire, flares, flashlight, battery jumper cables, spare wiper blades, pliers, screwdriver, rachet set, change of oil and a can of antifreeze.

4. Pack warm blankets in the trunk or keep a roll of large garbage bags that you can poke holes through for an instant rain slicker, if necessary. Heavy plastic can also protect against the cold in the same way if no blankets are on hand.

5. Traction chains, a bag of kitty litter, sand or salt, and a small shovel in case you get stuck in the snow.

6. Keep bottled water, dried fruit or easy-open cans of nuts in the trunk in case you have to wait for help.

7. In case your car battery fails, have a transistor radio and extra batteries to listen to weather or emergency reports, or use your Web-enabled cell phone to search for instant weather reports.

Helpful Hints :

If you must get out of the car to wait for help, remember to remain in front of the car rather than behind it, and away from oncoming traffic.

Materials List :

Cell phone, cell phone charger that plugs into car cigarette lighter

First aid kit

Car jack, spare tire, antifreeze, oil, flares, flashlight, battery jumpers, wiper blades, pliers, screwdriver, rachet set

Warm blankets and/or large trash bags

Tire traction chains, kitty litter, sand or salt

Bottled water, snack foods

Transistor radio with extra batteries

Submitted By :

Marge L

also see -> Traveling with kids during the winter holidays

Blizzard safety tips

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