Are you heading out in your car today — into the snow?

How will you fare if you get stuck in a winter storm? Will you survive?

Most people make it through, of course. Last year a 36 year old man was stuck in a winter snow storm for 5 days, along with his dog. They made it out alive even though all they had to eat were taco sauce packets.

Some people don’t make it out alive. You probably remember the 2007 story of the Kim family. After being stuck in an unfamiliar mountain road in Oregon, the father tried to walk out to get help. His wife and two young daughters stayed in the car, and were found alive after 9 days. The father was found dead, 16 miles from the car.

Experts generally advise, “Stay with the car.”

Obviously, what you have with you IN the car will make that decision a lot easier!

I know you’re busy, what with Christmas coming in just a few days. But take the time NOW to review this list of survival items for your car. In just a couple of minutes you can make some choices about what to have in your car that could mean the difference between easy and hard, even life and death if you get caught in a winter storm.

Check off the things you already have in your car’s Survival Kit and your Emergency Road Kit. DOUBLE CHECK the items you should add right now, so you’ll have them before the next storm arrives.

(in the lists below, the underlined words are links that lead to earlier articles here at Emergency Plan Guide, go to YouTube for useful videos, or go directly to Amazon so you can check features and prices. We’re Associates at Amazon so we may get a small commission if you buy through our link. Your price isn’t affected, of course.)

For the average driver, even this list of car parts and supplies is pretty extensive.

If you know how to use something, you can decide to include it. If you think you should include something, but don’t know how to put it to use, time for a few training videos on YouTube!

For even short delays in traffic, you may need:

• Bottled water, snacks, warm blanket
• First Aid kit
• Toilet paper, paper towels, unscented wipes, zip-lock plastic baggies for trash
• Flashlight w/ extra batteries
• Cell phone charger that plugs into the dash and fits YOUR phone!
• Seat belt cutter and window breaker tool (pack of 3)
• Emergency radio (battery operated)
• Maps
• Spare tire and jack
• Fire extinguisher (for car)
• A couple quarts of oil (with funnel). Never checked your oil, or added a quart? Two useful videos will give you everything you need to know: https://youtu.be/XQ3GRCMifiw and https://youtu.be/JHitZBTWJ-U
• Sturdy work gloves
• Something to write on and with (phone numbers to call, etc.)

If your car stops running in a winter storm, you’ll be glad you have these additional items:

• Boots
• Raincoat or poncho
• Wool socks, wool cap in cold climates
• Hand warmers (pack of 40)
• Flat tire inflator (aerosol can)
• Tool kit (Put a collection from your garage into a zip-lock baggie so you can see what you have: screwdrivers, pliers, wrench, tire pressure gauge, snow scraper, duct tape, etc.)
• Battery charger (Different levels of quality: here’s a top-flight one.)
• Jumper cables (Get heavy duty cables so they’ll work for sure. The smaller the gauge, the heavier the cable.)
• Hazard triangle, flares (regular and LED) or glow sticks, or reflective tape (Click the link to learn about our CERT team experience lighting regular flares!)
• More water (packets) and emergency food bars (not just snacks) (Here’s a water and food kit for one person, also includes thermal blanket.)
• Whistle to call for help

If you could possibly get stuck in snow or sand, you’ll definitely want:

• Fold-able shovel (This one is more expensive but gets the VERY BEST ratings!)
• Kitty litter, sand, or rock salt to pour in front of your tires. Check out Magic Traction as a better alternative.  You may be able to dig down far enough to slide your floor mats underneath both of the tires that are receiving power. (May mess up the mats, of course.)
• Towing strap (get the right weight for your car)

(Want a refresher on driving tips for getting your car unstuck? Check this article from Les Schwab, the tire people: https://www.lesschwab.com/article/what-to-do-when-your-car-is-stuck-in-snow.html)

Pack everything in a sturdy pack or maybe two. Put the heaviest things on the bottom. And tie the packs down so they don’t fly in an emergency stop and hit you or one of the kids.

Now, that’s a good start! I am sure you will come up with other personal items you couldn’t do without in a winter storm. Add them!

The idea is to have enough of the important items that your car-stuck-in-the-snow adventure remains an adventure, and doesn’t become a real emergency.

Virginia
Your Emergency Plan Guide team

P.S. One other essential — an Auto Roadside Assistance plan! We’ve had AAA for years, and it has been a godsend. My latest research on plans suggests that plans associated with your auto insurance company may not be as good as plans from independent companies. Consider where you live, what’s likely to happen, what the crew will deliver to you, how far they will tow you without an extra charge. Above all, how many times can you USE the service? (per person, per household).

P.P.S. We welcome any good stuck-in-the-snow stories!