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Winter Survival Car Kit
by Holly Ralston Oyler
* Quite a few years ago Louisville experienced a horrific winter storm that crippled the city for over a week. The Governor declared a state of emergency and closed all the roads and expressways. Unfortunately, there were thousands of cars and people on the roads at the time and it took an extremely long time to rescue everyone. Cars were abandoned and people tried to walk to safety. Most made it without problems, but there were also a few that didn’t.
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At the time I was working with medical clients, some of which were on the roads going or coming from treatment that day. Louisville is a regional treatment area, so some traveled a long distance to get here. Even though I was snug-as-a-bug and curled up in front of the TV watching this horrible event unfold the writer side of me kicked in full gear and I started working on a brochure listing the things you would need to be comfortable in case such a weather event like this happened again. When I first started handing it out to my clients, most would just laugh and say a storm like that could never happen again. A few clients packed their bags and put them in their cars for the duration of the winter months.
* Then the thank you calls and notes started coming in. Thankfully, most never needed everything that was in their bag, but having that “one” thing that made a difference when needed was all that mattered.
* ALWAYS carry at least TWO extra doses of any prescription medication you may be taking, especially if it is taken on a regular time schedule. The medications should be in your handbag or pocket, not the kit.
* We are not talking fashion statement here – only comfort, so nothing has to be in great condition or color coordinated. Pull out all the “oldies” in your closet and you will be set.
* If you travel 45-minutes or more away from home;
o be sure you top off your gas tank when it reaches ¾ full.
+ If you do get stuck, you want to be able to run your car for 15-minutes every hour to keep warm.
+ During this run time plug in your PDA/Phone chargers to keep those items available for use.
+ If you need to make an emergency call, turn your car on to do so.
+ This not the time to make call backs or talk with friends.
* Print the list for future reference and put a copy of it in the bag, on top – so you can mark off the item you will “borrow” sometime soon for replacement.
* Keep the bag of batteries on the top so you can rotate them since cold weather will take a battery down in a shorter period of time than normal in the winter months.
* You will need one of each item for each person that travels in the car with you.
* The bag needs to be inside the car – not in the trunk. This keeps you from getting cold and wet feet/hands
* If you have children and drive a van use a storage box or small suit case.
* Gloves (warm - not fashion)
* Rubber boots or water-resistant boots
* Long scarf for wrapping
* Socks
* Blanket (large enough to keep you warm and to provide privacy when you need it)
* Watch/clock
* Reading material/games, etc.
* Tissues, paper towels and TP
* 2-extra large Zip-Loc® bags (don’t ask, common sense will take over when you need them)
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* PDA/Phone chargers (if they are not kept in the car already)
* Pen/paper
* Flares/Emergency sign
* First Aid Kit
* Bottle Water – small bottles
* Vaseline & lip balm
* Long sleeve tee and turtleneck shirts (cotton if you have sensitive skin)
* Extra batteries to fit ALL items in bag that use them
* Change purse with extra money (think cab fare and/or towing expenses)
* Snacks, gum, mints, etc.
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