Preparing a Car for a Winter Emergency

ROAD TRAVEL SAFETY RESOURCES

Fall and winter around trigger many driving uncertainties and hazards. Uncertain to extreme weather conditions call for a vehicle automobile emergency kit. Hazardous driving conditions are avoidable with proper planning.

Visit Weather.com or the NOAA to check for any weather forecasts, portending dangerous road conditions.

Before every extended road trip and every six months, have a certified mechanic inspect the following items fluid levels: oil, brakes, radiator, transmission and other parts.

CAR EMERGENCY KIT

The best approach to keeping a reliable vehicle is to follow the car care instructions, outlined in your owners guide.

Here’s what to stock in your car in the event of a vehicle breakdown or winter weather advisory:

• A FIRST AID KIT: Stock your car with a first aid kit (including: everything from aspirin, alcohol rubs, anti-bacterial ointments, bandages other over the counter remedies). For a complete emergency kit, buy a prepackaged one. (These are available, on sale at general stores, such as Walmart and Target).

• THE PROVISIONS: When traveling with infants and children, tote extra food, medications and diapers. Protein bars, a bag of trail mix, and other non-perishable foods that do not take up a lot of space make for great emergency vittles in the car. Emergency safety advocates advise motorists to maintain one to two cases of bottled water, or a minimum of one-gallon per passenger, per day.

• AUTO SAFETY GEAR: Reflective triangles and fire flares signal the need for help. Few motorists drive around with jumper cables, these days. Nonetheless a roadside assistance membership can quell a discharged battery, as well. Always have, flashlights and a few extra batteries stashed in the center console or trunk of your car.

• OTHER ESSENTIALS: For communication purposes a hand cranked radio and a solar cell phone charger are essential. The emergency kit should also include a basic tool set (a screwdriver, pliers and a wrench), a shovel, and a 20-pound bag of sand. In the event, your car is stranded on a night when the temperatures dip below freezing, a set of blankets maybe a comforting lifesaver.

What’s in your car emergency kit?