Being stranded in your car during a winter storm is something we all hope never happens to us, but it is wise to be prepared. Make sure to have your car maintenance up to date such as the radiator system serviced, replace windshield wiper fluid with a winter time mixture, and make sure that you have good tires with the right air pressure. Also, keeping at least a half a tank of gas in the car will help avoid ice in the fuel lines.  Pay attention to weather reports before you make any travel arrangements. If you have to travel during bad visibility or snow make sure you have your mobile phone with you. You should let someone know your destination, your route and your estimated time of arrival so they can notify the authorities if needed.

Here are some crucial items to have in your car during winter.

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Emergency tire sealant such as Fix-A-Flat (This may be bad for tires, but in an emergency it might make the difference between being stranded and getting home).
• Water and food such as high energy bars – If you wish to store a few cans of food in your car make sure you have a non-electric can opener.
• Collapsible shovel
• Tire chains (for those in really heavy snow areas)
• First Aid Kit
• Blankets
• Windshield scraper (although if you live anywhere it snows you probably already have this in your car)
• Booster Cables
• Road Maps
• Tool Kit
• Paper Towels
• Bag of cat litter or sand for traction if you get stuck
• Tow rope so if you get stuck someone with a larger vehicle can pull you out
• Additional warm clothes – You want to be able to stay warm enough if your car breaks down.

Most of the things listed above and in the winter home emergency kit, you probably already have on hand or it is already with your emergency supplies. However, go through this list and make sure everything is in working order or that you (or one of your children) hasn’t removed an item from the kit(s).  Preparing in advance for winter and extreme cold weather is a matter of wintertime safety for you and your family.

This post is the second in a series and was written by Kristie Tadlock of Full Moon Survival.  It is a family-owned and operated business helping you and your family be better prepared. They offer a variety of emergency kits, food storage, and survival supplies.