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This post was originally posted on the Red Cross National Blog on February 11, 2015. In light of the anticipated hazardous driving conditions expected due to our current winter storm warning, we thought it'd be a good time to share it.
What's in Your Car? A Winter Emergency Kit Review
Growing up in Georgia, the occasional snow/ice storm was a treat. It meant no school and time to play outside, sit inside and catch up on movies and TV shows or sleep. Fast forward to adult life and living in Washington, D.C., I’ve found snow days aren’t the way they used to be. When I moved here, I realized people in fact still function when snow/ice happens because of an abundance of salt trucks and snowplows.
It wasn’t until I started working at the Red Cross that I realized I need to be prepared. Prepared in my home, my workplace and yes, even in my car. I realized when I commuted on roads in wintery conditions, it was silly (and sort of stupid) to not have a winter weather kit in my car. So now, for the times when I do have to head into work, I’ve taken measures to make sure I have everything I need. Like, who knew you needed cat litter or sand in your car to make sure you can get out of a slick spot? Not this Georgia girl!
THE LIST
For those that say, “Nah, I don’t need that! I’ve got a snow scraper and four-wheel drive!” I’ve got news for you — think again! Make sure you at the very least have these things in the back of your car to keep you safe during winter months:
- Cell phone car charger
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Blanket and/or emergency Mylar blanket
- Fleece hat, gloves, scarf
- Sand or cat litter
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- First aid kit
- Hand-crank weather radio
PRO TIPS
Once you have your car kit assembled, there are some extra handy tips to help take winter preparedness to the next level. Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council member Jim Judge has two additional tips in a new article:
- Keep emergency car kit in your back seat, so you can access it if your trunk freezes closed.
- Put batteries in backward to conserve battery power (and then, of course, remember to switch them back when you need to use it).
For a complete list of other ideas for your car kit, check out this handy emergency kit list.
by Sydney Holt, volunteer contributor
Y’all may not have even realized, but today is the first day of the fall. While the start of this colorful season typically signifies cooler weather, those of us in Dallas-Fort Worth and the surrounding areas are still experiencing highs in the upper 90s and even 100s! I don’t know about you but I don’t plan to spend my Autumnal Equinox digging sweaters and jeans out of my closet when I won’t need them for another few weeks, even months.
Instead, I plan to catch up on a few do-it-yourself projects, one being a DIY survival kit. Not handy? Don’t sweat it – this project is easy and can be done completely inside.
Below are a few tips for helping you get Red Cross Ready for the entire year.
1. Grab A Container! While a shoebox or extra container might seem like the easiest option, remember to choose an easy-to-carry, durable container such as a backpack or lightweight container with handles.
2. The Minimum. At a minimum you should have the following supplies.
- Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
- Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
3. Comfort Items. While the bare necessities are absolutely your first priority, having an array of comfort items is always a good idea – especially when dealing with children and pets. Examples include:
- Small games (non-electronic), puzzles, coloring books, cards
- Rain gear
- Blankets, sleeping bags and pillows
- Pet supplies – food, toys, carriers and sturdy leash or harness
- Wet wipes
- Towels
- Bug repellant
4. Awareness. Finally, be sure your kit is easy to access and all members of your household are aware of its location. Use this time to talk about your plan in case of an emergency situation and review the FREE Red Cross resources, such as our suite of mobile apps and the Plan & Prepare section of our website.
For more on what goes in an emergency survival kit, check out RedCross.org. Hint: It shouldn't look like this.
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