Cold weather is here and getting your cold weather car gear together is now priority. You may never have a need for your cold weather gear you keep in your car, but if you get stuck and don’t have it, your chance for survival dwindles greatly.
We don’t prepare for what we know will happen, we prepare for the unknown. Having a cold weather kit for your car is being prepared for those unknowns.
The weather can change quickly in the winter and this is why you need a cold weather car kit.
Possibility of Getting Stuck (Stranded)
There was a news story recently about a driver that was covered with snow by a snow plow, and stuck inside the car for several hours before getting discovered and rescued. I am sure that driver was not expecting that type of situation to happen, but it did.
Winter weather can be unpredictable, so the possibility of getting stranded while in your car increases. Keeping a few supplies in your car during the winter months will make getting stranded easier until you can get out of the situation.
What You May Need
There are several lists that you can find for suggestions on what you need in your car kit, but I suggest you keep it simple. You never know how long you might be stranded, so being able to stay hydrated and keep energy levels up will be just as important as keeping warm. These are the two most important things you need to consider to survive a stranding situation. Keeping bottled water and non-perishable foods in your car will be necessary.
If you live in a climate where the temperature is below freezing, keeping food and water in your car at all times will not be possible. You can fix a small bag or cooler for these items that you can put in your car each time you leave home.
To stay warm you can use candles. A three wick candle can warm a standard size car easily. You will not be toasty warm, but you won’t freeze to death either. Some suggest tea light candles with a deep can, but getting a three wick candle in glass will work as well. This can stay in your car as you will not have to worry about it freezing, but be sure to have a lighter or matches with it or the candle will be useless. Also know that this is a fire hazard so take appropriate precautions when using a candle in the car.
Some other items you can consider for your kit would be a small shovel, ice scraper, snow brush, flashlight, whistle, first aid kit, seat belt cutter, blankets, power pack, cat litter, and extra clothing. You know what room you have, so you can decide what will be necessary.
If you are planning a long trip, you need to consider you gear carefully, and might require more than short trips. Having a paper map of the area and telling people your travel plans and route will also be beneficial.
Car Kits
You can build your own car kit, or you can purchase a pre-made kit, just as long as you have a kit that will meet your needs.
A 72-hour kit can be purchased and used with just a few items added, like the candle, and you will save time and money compared to building your own. A 72-hour kit comes complete with a bag that can easily be carried between your home and car each time you leave or arrive back.
If you have the time, then build you own kit. If not then a pre-made kit is the way to go, and a 72-hour kit will have most of what you need.
Keeping Warm
This can be difficult to achieve if you do not have the necessary supplies to keep you warm. A simple candle will go a long way to keeping the temperature in your car bearable if you are stranded.
If you find yourself stranded and don’t have a candle to heat the interior of the car, you can use the car heater to stay warm. You will have to be concerned about how much fuel you have and will use, and you will also need to be concerned with carbon monoxide poisoning. You will have to exit your car to check the exhaust pipe and make sure it is clear of snow before each warming cycle, and you only want to run the car for about 15 to 20 minutes each time.
This is an effective way to stay warm, but uses resources that you may need when you are able to escape the situation.
Hand warmers are another option to keep in your car, but these will not keep your whole body warm. The best solution for this possible situation is some type of candle that will warm the whole car and not use needed resources, or potentially kill you.
Keep it Simple
As stated before, you will want to keep your kit simple unless you have plenty of room in your vehicle. Food, water, and warmth will be necessary for your survival, but you can have other items that make the situation easier, and can potentially help you escape the situation. Only you can decide what is right for you and where you live, but having a kit could be a matter of life or death.
It does not matter what you have in your kit, as long as you have one with the minimum basic survival necessities.
Conclusion
We may not think that we would ever be stranded in our vehicles during the winter months, but we never know what the weather can bring.
Atlanta residence realized this the hard way several years ago when a winter ice storm hit the area earlier than expected. People were stuck on the roads unable to move due to the ice. The roads were not treated before the storm hit, and all the cars stuck on the road made it difficult to treat the roads during and after the storm arrived. People abandoned their cars on the interstate and walked. Some stayed with their cars for over 24 hours with nothing.
You don’t want to be miserable and stuck in your vehicle, so take the easy steps of making your cold weather car kit today. Even if you live in the south and do not see winter precipitation, you can have a kit ready to go if the forecast even mentions the possibility of snow or ice.
I hope you never have to use your cold weather car kit, but better prepared than dead.
As always if you have suggestions, concerns, or questions, please feel free to post a comment. We are in this together and you might be able to help another with your thoughts, so share away.
Happy Prepping!
