Be prepared! We cannot stress this enough during the winter months. You are more than likely going to find yourself in trouble while it’s cold, during adverse weather conditions, on the road more than any other time during the year so – yes – be prepared! Here are a few items you should have in your car:
1. Heated blanket/portable charger
With a portable heated blanket and a portable charger, you can stay warm until you’re safe. (Plus, your car battery – or even the sun — can recharge this type of portable charger.)
Just make sure that your car is NOT enveloped in snow when it’s idling, because carbon-monoxide poisoning becomes a huge concern. Also, time your gas to battery intervals so you don’t drain your only way of starting the car again.
2. Zippo hand warmer
Carrying along a Zippo Hand Warmer makes quite a bit of sense. It’s the fact that you should also be carrying lighter fluid in the same duffle. If you just so happen also to carry a Zippo Lighter, well then, you’ve got a hand warmer and a complete fire kit.
3. The right signaling gear
If you’re going to bring along duct tape, you should make sure that your sticky wonder ribbon is in the most obnoxious neon orange color possible to pop against the whiteness of the snow. Fire is always a great way to keep warm in such situations — but oddly enough, it’s not really that great of a signaling device in snow-clad broad daylight. You’ll need a way to offer additional contrast for responders, and wouldn’t you know it? Duct tape burns with black smoke.
Of course, if you can think of other items you think are important and have not been listed here then, by all means, keep those in your trunk or backseat too. Thanks to Off the Grid News for advising us on these items and why they should be used. Zippo saves the day yet again!
Oh, and if you have a cell phone make sure it is with you at all times during unfavorable weather conditions. Even if you find yourself in a remote area that does not pick up a signal there may be a time when a bar or two will show and 911 are a quick three digits to call – if even only briefly!
Featured Image via Off The Grid News