Necessary Tools for Winter Emergencies on the Road
From 3arf
Winter is a test of skills. Not only do you need to navigate treacherous roads and drivers who don't know what season it is, but you need to have a survival mindset in case you meet up with a snowbank or flat tire.
Winter demands preparation and one of the best preparations is to stock some emergency supplies in case you find yourself stuck. There are some necessary tools and some that would come in handy.
Necessary Tools:
- Blankets can help you stay warm when the car runs out of gas or the alternator fails. While you are waiting for roadside emergency crews to arrive, you and your spouse can find intimate comfort under the blanket.
- A few candles can provide enough heat to make the interior comfortable.
- Flares are a necessity if you're parked at the side of the road in poor visibility. You never know when a snowplow might emerge from the storm to dent your fenders.
- A shovel can help you dig out if you're not too deeply mired in snow. There are collapsible shovels that are easier to store in the trunk than lugging a 6 foot spade in the back seat.
- A bag of sand or salt can help you get out of most situations.
- A cell phone is a necessity if you're out in the middle of nowhere and a telephone is miles away. In the city or on a moderately congested country road, someone is likely to pull up to lend assistance if you don't have a cell phone.
- A first aid kit comes in handy when you happen to cut yourself. Small wounds can be tended to with bandages and salves.
- You need the right clothing for winter driving. Unfortunately, many people forget that extremely cold weather can bring frostbite damage to unprotected heads, hands and feet.
Useful Tools
- If your car battery dies, a battery powered radio can keep you abreast of storm systems and keep you entertained while you wait for help to arrive.
- If you're going to be stuck for any length of time, a few cereal bars or nuts can help keep hunger at bay. Bottled water will help keep you hydrated.
- It's assumed that you have a tire jack and a fully inflated spare tire in your car. If you don't, get them. The worst accidents always happen when you least expect them.
- Short of hanging yourself, a strong rope can be handy if a neighbor comes by to pull you out of the ditch.
- A battery charger, already charged, can get you back on the road and to the warm confines of your home.
- Winter poses special hazards, so having a container of extra fuel can help you run your engine when the gas gauge registers empty.
- It's unlikely you'll need to replace your alternator in the middle of a snowstorm, but having a few wrenches and screwdrivers can help you tighten loose bolts and adjust engine speed. A little oil can lubricate stiff nuts or add to the crankcase if it's empty.
- Children can be a winter nuisance when you're stuck. Rather than listen to them ask “Are we there yet?”, carry some playing cards or a DVD player with some videos to keep them quiet.
Most of what you need won't require carrying along a Uhaul trailer. Many items can easily fit in the trunk of your car with enough room left over for the luggage for that special trip to warmer climates.
