About a year ago, a friend texted me around 8:30 at night asking if my oldest daughter could babysit her kids the next day because she had to go to a birth. She’s a midwife. But before the next morning, it started snowing. We were only supposed to get 3-6 inches. Instead, we got around 10 inches. While snow isn’t that big of a deal in central Illinois, when it starts as rain and changes to sleet and then to snow it causes all kinds of havoc. If we would add specific items to our car in winter, we would be ready for just about anything that the weather could throw at us.
Due to a series of events, we ended up watching her kids at our house. I texted her around 10:30 am. She told me that a 2-hour drive took her TWELVE hours. Yes, I spelled that right T-W-E-L-V-E hours!! In freezing temperatures. She said twice, she had to stop for more than two hours and turn her car off. It reminded me of how important it is that our cars are equipped for winter in all its glory.
The Prepared Vehicle
As many of you know, I’ve already done a pretty extensive series on The Prepared Vehicle.
- We discussed six systems for a prepared vehicle and how to prepare your vehicle for everyday emergencies.
- Then we talked about making sure you have basics of food and drink in your vehicle and followed that with a real conversation about sanitation in our vehicles.
- Right after that, I wrote about being prepared for at least minor mechanical issues.
- Making sure that those in our vehicle have a way to comfort themselves came next.
- No car preparedness discussion would be complete without talking about first aid and illness prevention.
- And then, there was a post staying safe while you are out and about.
- We wrapped up the series with a post about putting all the information together and making sure you can find where you put everything.
- But now, we need to take that a step further.
We need to add additional specific items to our vehicle in winter.
During the wintertime, we have a whole different set of problems that we could encounter than we do in the spring, summer, or fall. We have to deal with cold, with dangerous road conditions, with cold, with dangerous visibility conditions, and did I mention cold? Dangerous road conditions and visibility conditions present problems in themselves, cold weather hits us with another whole bunch of problems from keeping drinks (which you still need to keep in your car during the winter) from freezing to keeping your fingers, toes, ears, and any other part of your body from freezing.
Dangerous Road Conditions
So how can we keep safe our car in winter in dangerous road conditions? There are a couple of things that we can do to make driving during winter weather safer.
Kitty Litter (or sand)
I can see some of you nodding, some of you scratching your heads, and some of you aren’t sure if I’ve switched the topic of this post to pets. Kitty litter does two things for you. It weighs down the back of your vehicle which in turn gives you more traction in your vehicle. This helps make driving your car in winter safer.
The second thing that kitty litter does is that if you get stuck, you can put kitty litter under your tires to help your tires have something of which to grab a hold. So it also keeps you safer if you have this in your vehicle because there’s less likelihood that if you get stuck that you’ll stay stuck.
Snow Chains
If you live in a very snow prone area, snow chains may be in order. Snow chains will slow down your drive exponentially, but if you have to go out in horrible weather, these will go a long way to keeping you safe in your car in winter and its dangerous weather.
Dangerous Visibility Conditions
Car scraper
Dangerous visibility can start with you not being able to see even before you drive. Car scrapers are a must-have even if you have a garage at home. If you are out and about and it starts to sleet or snow, you will need a way to clean off your windshield. If you don’t have that, you’re already in a dangerous visibility situation.
Windshield wiper fluid
When we think about visibility, oftentimes we think solely about whiteout driving conditions, but just as dangerous is the condition or cleanliness of our windshield. If we run out of windshield wiper fluid (which unsurprisingly has happened to me), it can be incredibly dangerous. If you can’s see because your windshield is filthy from the slush created by the salt and snow thrown up at you by other vehicles as you drive. Even if you just carry a quart of it with you, make sure you have some.
Flares
What do you do if you get yourself stuck, but the visibility is next to nil? You’ve got a recipe for an even more dangerous situation! If you get stuck, you want to have flares with you. This will help people realize that you’re stopped and that they should avoid you. It will also alert those around you to the fact that you are in trouble so that they can help if they are able. Make sure you have a set with you at all times, but especially in your car in winter.
Dealing With Cold
Blankets
If my friend that I mentioned at the beginning of this article hadn’t had two blankets she would have been in trouble. Her assistant almost lost her toes because she got stuck and had NO blankets in her car. Make sure that you have at least one for every two people. One per person would be better, but I get that there can be space constraints.
Mylar Blankets
An alternative to conventional blankets is Mylar blankets. We have one of these per person stashed in our vehicle. They are small and made of a type of flexible metal (called Mylar – go figure). They work because they reflect body heat that you are giving off back to your body. When I say that they are small, they are folded measuring about three inches by five inches. When you unfold them, many measure 56″ by 84″.
Handwarmers and Footwarmers
Did you know that there are these nifty things that you can activate and actually put IN your boots to keep your feet warm? How “cool” is that!?! Footwarmers. These will heat your feet for up to NINE hours! Talk about toasty toes!
When it comes to keeping your hands warm, the same company that makes the foot warmers, make hand warmers. Once activated, they will keep your hands warm in the case that you get stuck.
Extra Stuff If You Get Stuck
Shovel
If you get stuck and you need to dig a tire or tires out, then you will want a shovel with you. Then you can use the kitty litter or sand that we talked about above.
Battery Powered Radio
If something happens to your car, you may need to hear what is going on around you, so you know how to plan. Having a battery-powered radio on hand in your car could be incredibly helpful.
Every time you go out you should there are certain things everyone should have
No matter when you go out during winter, there are some things that you should always have on your person before you leave. Make sure that you are wearing…..
- a warm coat
- gloves
- a hat
- heavy-duty socks
- sturdy footwear
- a scarf
What About You?
Do you have any other items that you would suggest keeping in your car for the wintertime? Leave a comment below so that we can all be better prepared!
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There are links in this post. Some of the links may be affiliate links. Some of the links may not be. My promise to you is that I will only recommend the most economical version of the best quality of items to serve you. These are the items that I have bought for my own family. You can feel free to use my affiliate links, of which I will get a small amount in compensation, or you can choose to search out your products on your own.
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Great list! There are a few things on here that I didn’t think of, so need to do some shopping. 🙂