Winter is here, and with winter comes snow. In Minnesota, that sometimes means a lot of snow. Ice storms and blizzards can really cause havoc, limiting travel and sometimes causing widespread power outages. Are you ready?
Winter Car Emergency Kit
You might not find yourself at home when that snowstorm blows in. Your emergency kit in your car should have at minimum a flashlight with extra batteries. There is nothing worse than being stuck by the side of the road in the dark. Trying to fix the simplest of things becomes exponentially more difficult in the dark. Jumper cables are another bare minimum. Cold weather is often the culprit of a dead battery.
A first aid kit is another thing every emergency kit should include. Injuries often occur while changing a tire or twisting wrenches under the hood. These areas are notoriously dirty, so having a good first aid kit with a proper disinfectant is a must. A multi-tool is also something you should include. Leatherman and Swiss Army are two popular versions, but there are others. A tool kit often comes in handy on the side of the road.
Road flares or reflective devices to warn traffic of your presence should also be in your kit. Blizzards are often white-out conditions, and if power outages are part of the weather damage, darkness can be just as dangerous. Keeping traffic aware of your presence is important.
Additional Car Kit Items
Aside from a tire jack and lug wrench, you should consider rain and snow gear, tire sealant, duct tape, paper maps, a lighter or matches, and non-perishable food items like granola bars. You should have an ice scraper in your car, but adding a collapsible shovel and a bag of sand might get you out of a snow bank quicker and cheaper than a tow truck. You’ll appreciate spare blankets, gloves, and other warm gear if you have to wait for a tow, so be sure to have something packed to keep you warm.
Winter Home Emergency Kit
Winter storms can last days and bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and ice, and they can knock out power and communication systems for weeks. Knowing your area’s typical weather patterns and potential for severe snow and ice is important. If the storm lasts days, be sure you have enough supplies to last until roads are cleared and power is restored. The CDC has a great winter weather checklist you can reference.
Many of the items in your car kit should be in your home kit as well. The benefit of storage space at home means you can keep more and larger versions of items like flashlights and tools, and you can include things like gas heaters and ready-to-eat meals that only require water.
These emergency kits could mean the difference between surviving and serious injury or death. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Make sure your kit is stocked and ready before the storm arrives.
Image via Shaun Sullivan | Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
