Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- First-aid kit with scissors
- Windshield scraper
- Maps and compass
- Paper towels, tissues, and moist towelettes
- Blankets
- Extra warm clothing and socks
- Gloves or mittens
- Rain gear
- Large plastic trash bags (for impromptu rain gear)
- Gallon-size resealable plastic bags
- Calorie-dense nonperishable food (e.g., energy or granola bars, nuts, pemmican)
- Pocket knife
- Bottled water
- Waterproof matches
- Newspaper/wooden shims (to burn for melting snow)
- Metal container such as a clean can (for melting snow in)
- Collapsible shovel
- Jumper cables
- Tow rope
- Bag of sand or nonclumping kitty litter (for traction)
- Red bandana or other brightly colored cloth (to make a distress flag)
- Small amount of cash (e.g., $20)
- Large permanent marker
- Bar of white soap (to write on interior of car windows)
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Step 1
Assemble the items for your winter safety kit well before you need them. Don't let the first snow catch you unawares. Pack the smaller items into a sturdy plastic box with a lid, and keep it in the trunk of your vehicle at all times. The larger items can be stowed near the back of the trunk, out of the way.
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Step 2
Print up an inventory of the items in your winter safety kit and put it into an envelope along with $20 in cash. Tape this to the inside of the lid of your storage box. In the event of an emergency, you'll know exactly what you have without having to root through the kit.
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Step 3
Be sure to rotate the items periodically, replacing things like water bottles and foodstuffs. If you use an item from your kit, replace it immediately.
