Winter Survival Kit

Winter Car Survival Kit

Ready or not here comes winter and where I live we have had our first snow fall.

Driving in the winter does present some challenges and with a few common sense precautions and a survival kit in your trunk there is no reason to be apprehensive.

Key to safe winter driving where snow is abundant is good winter tires.  I know that many provinces have made winter tires law and I believe that it make good sense.   

Knowing and keeping your tire pressure at the recommended level is also important.  Speak to your mechanic and find out what that pressure is for your make of vehicle and the winter tires that you have.  Both under and over inflated tires will take away from their efficiency in getting you through the snow.

New windshield wipers are also a good idea as winter weather presents unique challenges for wiper blades and if you cannot see out your windows you are not safe regardless of the weather.

Always travel with a full tank of fuel and windshield fluid.

Have your vehicle checked now – get your winter maintenance booked with your local garage now!

Survival Kit

Road Safety Link To Ontario Ministry of Transport

After reviewing numerous website Wisconsin Emergency Management Team, State of North Dakota Emergency Service, State of Minnesota Emergency Service and Ontario Ministry of Transportation.  I have created a list of the common items that all of these sites recommend:

• Ice scraper or snow brush 
• Shovel 
• Sand or Kitty Litter for traction 
• Tow rope or chain 
• Booster cables 
• Road flares or warning lights 
• Gas line antifreeze 
• Flashlight with extra batteries 
• First aid kit 
• Tool kit that contains a pair of scissor or jacket knife 
• Extra clothing (socks, gloves, winter clothing and boots) 
• Blankets 
• High Energy Food 
• Candles 
• Matches 
• Cell phone and charging cable 
• Bright cloth to tie on the car antenna 
• Map of the area where you are driving

If you travel with children I would recommend:

• Tin cups (to melt water in to drink) 
• Colouring book and crayons (to entertain with) 
• A few age appropriate books (to calm and read to a child)

Keep all of this in the trunk of your car in a plastic tub that can be moved into the car easily when needed.

      When traveling with children always make sure that they either wear or have with them their snow pants, winter boots, hat and mitts.

      If stuck with no shelter visible stay with the car and:

1. Tie the bright cloth to your car 
2.  Light the flares and/or put out the warning lights behind your vehicle 
3.  Determine where you are and call 911 giving them your location 
4.  Make sure the exhaust of your vehicle is cleared of all snow and continue to check on this on a regular basis when you run the car 
5.  The tin can should be placed where it will not tip over and place the candle in the tin can this will provide both light and heat 
6. Keep a window facing away from the wind cracked open just a little 
7. Stay calm Help is coming

The best winter driving tip I can give you is stay off the roads when they are calling for bad weather and have a fun snow day.

Please spend some time and visits the links provided in this post so that you are forearmed with knowledge on how to stay safe.

Grandma Snyder

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