Putting mine together, and I'd like to read about what you all keep in your vehicles for winter emergency situations, or just for all-around preparedness. I have a plastic tote containing rope, flares, a fire extinguisher, a blanket, a towel, a dog muzzle and leash, a phone book (cell phone in my purse, never leave home without it), shovel, multi-tool device and a larger knife, and a small first aide kit that I put together. I bungee this to the back of my truck right below the window behind my seat. Truck has a cap on it. I have sandbags for weight so I could use sand under the tires if I were stuck. For winter, I keep a waterproof-type bag behind the passenger seat, containing more seasonal items. So far I have a candle inside an empty can (heat source), waterproof matches, spare gloves, two of the small emergency heat pouches, and several power-bar food items. I have a hat and scarf, another blanket and a pair of boots behind my seat. I'd like to pick up one of those devices that you use to bust out a window if you're trapped. I drive 45 minutes to work and back, second shift, so I'm coming home at midnight. Some highway and some back roads. Anything I'm forgetting? What do you do differently? Is there any way to carry water without it freezing and busting the container? A few safety issues, too. If your car goes in a ditch, NEVER go down in the ditch to try to free it. I heard of a woman who was pinned and killed doing this. If you have any sort of fire/heat in your vehicle, be sure to vent it properly. Any more you'd like to add?
Well HilltopDaisy the first item on my list I do not see on yours and here in New Brunswick, Canada, that would be booster cables. Gerry Mazerolle http://www.homesteadsforsale.com
most inportant is a snowsuit or very warm clothing, extra socks, blanket in case engine stalls and won't start., or if you have to go hiking Some candy bars or high energy snaks for the long wait. flashlight flares or signal light don't count on the cell phone working shovel is good if you don't over do it trying to dig out
Put an empty can or metal cup in your kit and just melt snow over your candle for water. Don't forget the TP! A better heater is put a roll of toliet paper in a metal coffee can. Pour a quart bottle of rubbing alcohol over the toliet paper. Light the top of the TP. When you're warm enough, blow the fire out and cover the can with its plastic lid to keep the remainder of the alcohol from evaporating.
Hilltop, A sleeping bag plus the blanket would be good, plus one of those tiny reflecting emergency blanket...only the size of a handkerchief. For fluids, those juice boxes freeze and thaw without breaking so you can leave them in your car all winter. And don't eat any thing unless you have water or fluid to take with it. In my emergency backpack (easy way to carry all of it), I also carry a tarp, in case you have to abandon your vehicle (fire??), and you can use the tarp to make some kind of shelter. Also, I carry pepper spray in case someone comes along who wants to help in an unappropriate way...it might work on a nasty dog or maybe a nasty bear also. A lighter and a magnesium starter would be good in addition to your matches. Have a couple extra pair of socks so if your feet get wet in snow/rain, or just because your feet have sweat and become damp. A knit hat or ski mask will keep in the heat. In case of getting stuck in a blizzard with low temps, a set of long- johns, and a set of sweat pants would make you much more comfortable. The idea is not to look great, but to stay alive! The cold will kill you before a lack of water or food. But the air will kill you if you don't ventilate while trying to heat. If you often travel with any animals, keep a bag of food in the vehicle, and take a jug of water with you each time you get into the vehicle in the winter with the animal. Aha! The animal will help with heat also. Will check my emergency back pack and make sure I haven't forgotten anything that others haven't mentioned. Ann
I put a bag of kitty litter in the car-it's great for when you're stuck on ice... or run out of TP :haha:
Hilltopdaisy, I saw a spot on Primetime or Dateline once that said that carrying a standard nail punch that a carpenter uses works just as well as any fancy tool used to break out a car window. Cost is no more than two bucks. Have no idea if this works, so use it FWIW. clove
Wool socks, if you're not wearing them already, plus an extra pair, waterproof gloves, a WARM sleeping bag and if getting buried in a drift is a real worry, mount a CB whip antenna on the bumper with a "flag" at the top. For water, 3/4 fill some 20-24 oz plastic water bottles(vending machine type), screw down the tops well and put in a plastic rubbermaid tote. Rotate out the waterbottles, dump and refill every couple of months. Chocolate is always good to keep on hand - plain ol Hershey bars are now in a sealed packet, so melt and reharden is not a problem. Also small packs of not very salty nuts are good. Another small LED flashlight and spare batteries are always useful, as are some of the chemical heating handwarmers.
I no longer live where I need to carry such things in the winter but when I did live there I had a couple of things in the box that you might want to add. Wind up / solar radio that way you don't have to worry about if the batteries are good. a plastic whistle: that way if you can see someone off in the distance you don't have to strain your voice calling for help another thing I'd add in my box today is some of those little lights that you snap and shake and they last for about 7 hours. Another 'no need to worry about batteries' thing
I carry at least one handyman hi-lift jack, aka alaska jack, or farm jack.... with 2 a person can completely turn a vechile around in the middle of a snow drift, or get out of a mud bog or even a ditch....... but they can kill you or knock out your teeth if you are not careful. I also keep tow chains and clevis and shackles for pulling me or somebody else out or home.... Ive been gonna put a tow cable on my frame both front and back for years but never have... I have mainstay rations under the seat year round for those unexpected long stays out somewhere [non thirst provoking] and of course there is always the B.O.B. at hand which gets rotated as the seasons dictate. Also i carry the best firearm in the world [LAR 45 Win Mag] and a few extra rounds, in the backcountry roads a person never knows what type of critter they are gonna find in the winter or other months for that matter. I also use older woold blankets as seat covers, which in a pinch then can be converted to a wrap to keep a person warm. For heating water and such i use a folding stove and hexamene or trioxane fuel tablets which will boil a quart of water in 7 minutes and can be put out and relit later..... i have a stainless serria type cup for melting ice and snow but also carry water in the form of coffee in my stainless vaccum bottles so i usually have plenty of moisture on hand for me. Since my work rig is usually my transportation i also have a host of tools that stay in it year long, and if i know a part is weak then too i have that extra part to be able to change it out..... belts and such [I drive old FORD pickups and dont have those serpintine belts] I also have at least 2 changes of clothes, mostly because i work outdoors and if i have to change before coming home, then i have a dry shirt yet for an emergency. I carry tire chains for all four corners too been on blackice that it was the only way to keep it on the road. samething in my wifes rig too forthe most part. William
Perfect timing, Hilltop, because my cargo duffle with emergency supplies was stolen in a car prowl just last week, and I've got an inventory right in front of me. Here's my basic list: First aid kit Extra first aid supplies: Latex gloves, hydrogen peroxide, foldable scissors, sanitary pads, butterfly closures, suture, tape, aspirin, Benadryl, Immodium, shot of bourbon, tweezers, thermometer, personal medications Whistle Compass Leather gloves LED/spot headlamp with extra batteries Lantern with extra 6-volt battery Rechargeable batteries & solar charger Dust masks (surgical style) Iodine tablets Water purifier tablets Swiss army knife Serrated utility knife Duct tape Toiletry kit Antibacterial wipes Reading glasses Roll of TP Thin nylon rope Trowel Nylon tarp with grommets Tie-down clips Bungee cords Space blanket Sleeping bag Crank-operated shortwave/weather/AM radio Cell phone Notepad & pencil Flares Waterproof matches in waterproof container Plastic zip-locs, sturdy large trash bags Rags Food & water Can opener, set of plastic utensils Rain poncho and chaps Extra clothing, including cold weather stuff Hiking boots & socks Chemical handwarmers Fleece gloves Cash in $1 bills Nylon pouches & stuff sacks for keeping it all organized Jumper cables Can of air (for emergency tire repair) Lug wrench that works (large cross-bar best for weaklings) Kitty litter (OP is right--it's great on ice)
