Winter Travel Emergency Kit: Do You Have One?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Dec 17th 2009 at 10:01AM

Winter can be a great time to take a trip but traveling through the cold, ice, and snow can pose a real safety risk. Being prepared for the worst is key to preventing the worst, and that means having an emergency kit.

If you're driving the entire way just pack an emergency kit ahead of time and throw it in the trunk. If you're flying and then renting a car pack an emergency kit in something like a small gym bag and pack it into the bottom of one of your checked luggage pieces.

Winter Car Emergency Kit

3lb coffee can, candles, and matches (to keep warm and for melting snow for drinking water)
Whistle and a red bandana/brightly colored garbage bag to call for help/let rescuers know where you are
Some granola or candy bars
A flashlight with spare batteries
A first aid kit (including any essential medications)
A blanket (special foil-type survival blankets fold up to a very small size)
Basic tool kit
Jumper Cables
Ice scraper (most rental cars don't come with them)

But emergency kits aren't just for drivers. People planning to hike, ski, or camp in winter climates should also plan for the worst. An emergency kit designed for hiking or camping will probably need to be smaller since it has to be carried instead of simply stashed in the trunk.

Basic Survival Kit

Basic first aid kit: bandages and antibiotic ointment, medications
Whistle
Bright (orange or yellow) garbage bag, bandana, or hand mirror for signaling rescuers
Compass
Pocket knife
Candles
Matches (waterproof)
Flashlight with fresh batteries
Lightweight survival blanket
Granola, candy bars, or other high-energy snack

Other items to consider putting in any emergency survival kit include:

Flares
Shovel
Saw/Axe
Extra warm clothes (hats, mittens, scarves, socks)
A small amount of cash and coins (for pay phones, etc)

And remember: If stranded in the car you should always stay with your vehicle!

Tags: emergency kit, EmergencyKit, journeys, safety, travel, winter, winter travel, winter-travel-pedia, WinterTravel

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

robert Dec 17th 2009 10:34AM

Here it is a hat and sunscreen.

Claude Gunter Dec 17th 2009 7:43PM

Please add:
Cell phone with 60 minutes and car charger
Maps of where you are
Heavy shoes, boots, etc.
Spare gloves for car work, shoveling, etc.
Book to read
Portable radio

Ed Dec 17th 2009 8:58PM

A large contractor garbage bag can be used as a poncho or improvised shelter.

Don't forget the road maps, a pencil, and a notepad.

Napkins come in handy.

Charles S. Dec 18th 2009 1:12AM

waterproof matches can be made simply by dipping matches in melted wax.I like the one you can strike anywhere. Many things can be found at the local dollar store. Before traveling think of the worst case scenario and plan accordingly .

NORMA C. Dec 18th 2009 1:56AM

Not me I'm staying home in a nice warm place besides I live in Southern California high desert we don't get much of that white stuff and besides these people here don't know how to drive in that stuff. Safer to just stay home.

Susan Dec 18th 2009 4:25AM

Gravel kitty litter is a good thing to have, it is great for getting you off icy highways.

prof1sjg Dec 18th 2009 10:14AM

I friend of from school was in Air Force in one of the Dakotas - he said in their training they were told to keep candles also - one burning candle inside the car is supposed to give off enough warmth to help keep one from freezing. I don't remember if he said to keep a window cracked open or that asingle candle would not consume too much of the oxygen to woory about it - more (candles) is obviously not better here. Suggest NOT using gas feed lires inside either! I beleive "hurricane" candles (???) were recommended - about an inch in diamemter and 6 inches tall.

Delle Dec 23rd 2009 2:11PM

One large probelm here... an emergency kit in the truck or in your checked luggage is probably going to be useless when you realy need it.

For car trips, put everything you can manage in the truck - especially hard case luggage. You don't need anything more flying around during an accident than absolutely necessary. Put your emergency kit in a soft bag on the floor behind the passenger seat if possible. If travelling in the colder climes be sure you have extra warm things with you inside the car.

For air travel, you are obviously limited by current safety rules. However, with careful packing and clever shopping, you can make up quite a nice little kit for your carry-on without creating dificulties.

Remember, it can't help you if you can't get to it!