This past week we had terribly cold weather for several days, with the low getting to around -15 degrees, and in the -40’s with the wind chill. I should not complain though, as I looked up the historical low for the area, and it was -37 degrees in 1936. I am sure the houses in 1936 were not as well insulated as ours today, but on the other hand, they probably had nice fireplaces. I am certain their work was much harder, and they probably froze when they had to go outside.
Luckily during this cold snap, I was able to stay indoors and did not have to do much traveling, but it got me thinking about the importance of being prepared if you do have to travel. Even a short trip in the car can become disastrous if one is not prepared. For example, what if you break down on the highway while traveling in below-zero weather? Perhaps your first answer is to just say you will call your family or friends to come rescue you, but that is not always possible, especially if we have to drive a longer distance or if the weather turns for the worse. It is not unheard of, with the wind, for a minor amount of snow to become a major blizzard. Also, you might not always be able to rely on your cell phone. Maybe there is no reception, or did you know that cold causes your battery to drain more quickly, and cold enough weather can even kill your phone altogether? Whatever the reason, we cannot always rely on our phones alone. So, what can you do to be prepared while driving? One is to dress appropriately for the weather, and two is to have an emergency survival kit in your car.
I am always surprised when I go out and about in the winter, to see people dressed completely inappropriately for the weather. I understand what people are thinking, I am just running to the store, and at most, I will be outside for a minute or two, but what if something happens? You get your groceries and come out to a flat tire. Do you really want to change a tire in shorts and flip-flops in sub-zero temperatures? I personally always try to be prepared for the unexpected. Have a coat, hat, and gloves in the car even if you do not put them on. The best is layers. An outer shell jacket, a fleece jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, and an undershirt. If you get warm, you can remove layers, but more importantly, if you get cold you can add layers. It is also important to have a good pair of winter boots. Even if you don’t want to wear them, just throw them in the car. Better to not freeze your feet if you have to walk in the cold for whatever reason.
Second, whenever I have to travel any distance in the winter I keep a survival kit in the car. A survival kit can include many things, and you can make it suit your own needs. For me though, a good starting point is a nice warm blanket. In my car, I carry an old wool army blanket. It is many years old, and army green, but it does the job. Even though it is not very thick, it is warm. This is nice because I can pack it tight in the car and just leave it there all year round. Next is a good flashlight. In reality, I always keep a flashlight or two in the car, because they are small and convenient if it is dark. Flashlight technology has changed so much over the years, and new LED flashlights are inexpensive, bright, and normally use AA batteries. In the past, I used to just carry jumper cables, but after getting stuck a few times with a dead battery, I now carry a battery jumper. This is basically, just a small battery pack with jumper cables attached. It also can be used to charge your cell phone if needed, which is nice. I also always carry something to start a fire. Not that I am going to start a fire near the car to stay warm, but if it is survival, you can find a place sheltered from the wind. It is best to carry a few sources of ignition, like matches, a lighter, or a small fire starter. In college, I took a survival class and was surprised at how easy it is to start a fire with a small fire starter. Basically, they are just a small steel striker and a Ferrocerium Rod. Also, from my survival class, I learned the importance of having some rope a basic pocket knife, and better yet a small tarp. to build a shelter if necessary. I know you are probably thinking, I am not leaving my car to build a shelter, but who knows what might happen. Next, I like to carry a basic set of tools just in case, although there is probably not much I can do on my car if it does break down. In the winter, I also like to carry a small shovel just in case I need to dig out of the snow, and some basic tire chains.
In terms of food, even for shorter trips of an hour or more, I like to carry something to eat and drink if I do get stuck. Granola bars, cookies, raisins, applesauce, really anything with some carbs and calories is good if you get stuck for the short term. Also, be sure to carry plenty of water to drink. However, with this, you have to be careful that it does not freeze. I always carry a case of water in my car, and it is not uncommon for it to be completely frozen in the winter, even though my car is in the garage. So, make sure you refresh your water supply and bring water from your house when you leave. If you do get stuck without heat, keep the water close to you so it doesn’t freeze. That brings up another point as well, if you are in the car and it is running be careful in a snow storm. Snow can block your exhaust pipe quickly, so always make sure there is no snow building up around your car. On longer trips, I have been known to carry dehydrated camping meals, as they only take hot water to heat. Small camp stoves are portable and easy to store, and work for many hours on one can of fuel. Just be careful storing it in the vehicle. It is best to have a prepacked kit that you can bring in and out of the car as needed. With that, be sure to carry a metal cup for heating the water as well. Or, if you are really fancy, you can buy self-heating MREs. They are convenient, high in calories, and will usually last several years.
In conclusion, whatever you want to bring is up to you, but do not take anything for granted when traveling in the cold weather. It is downright dangerous if something happens and you get stranded for any length of time. I have seen people stuck on the interstate for more than one day, in the middle of nowhere, because of an accident or inclement weather, it happens! Let me know some of the things you like to carry in your car in the comments. I am always looking for ways to be better equipped. Thank you for sharing the blog with the links below! Happy Travels.
I like to carry hand warmers and extra license plates around because you never know.