WINTER VEHICLE SURVIVAL KIT, MADE YOURS?
With a winter storm bearing down on much of Nebraska, no better time to put together a winter vehicle survival kit than now! Here is a suggested, basic winter survival kit for your vehicle (with a few additions) from the folks at www.Trails.com
How to Make a Basic Winter Survival Kit for the Vehicle
Things You’ll Need:
- Extra clothing
- Energy food and water
- Flashlight
- Shovel
- Tire chains
Step 1
Pack extra clothing for layering such as a T-shirt, sweat shirt or hoodie, extra socks, winter boots, gloves or mittens and blankets or a sleeping bag. A wool cap, face mask or scarf should also be included in the kit. Pack the items in a plastic container or bag separate from the other items in the kit.
Step 2
Include energy food such a protein bars, granola bars and beef jerky. Any type of high-energy food that is packaged in airtight wrappings or containers is ideal. Include water in safe storage bottles such as Nalgene or even cleaned milk jugs. Keep enough water for two or more people to survive at least 2 days.
Step 3
Pack a flashlight in the kit which durable and able to with stand some degree of impact or shock. Also make sure the beam of the light is a combination spot and flood to provide sufficient light for a variety of situations. Include extra batteries with the light. A candle in a can may also be added and lit with a lighter.
Step 4
Include a folding shovel that is adequate to handle small jobs. Do not select a shovel designed to clear a large area of snow and debris. The goal is a small folding shovel that is durable, easily stored, and capable of digging through snow and ice to allow tires to reach traction.
Step 5
Choose tire chains that are appropriately sized for the vehicle being driven. Become completely familiar with how to install the chains, and practice doing so several times. A stressful situation is no time to learn how to install tire chains.
Step 6
Keep all of these items stored in the trunk or rear of the vehicle stored in a plastic case or even heavy plastic bags.
Additionally, our friends at the Nebraska State Patrol also have compiled a comprehensive winter vehicle survival kit checklist for you:
http://www.dor.state.ne.us/rca/wz/pdfs/VehicleSurvivalKit.pdf
When it gets right down to it, a vehicle breakdown in winter can quickly turn dangerous as the weather worsens. Being prepared for emergencies and eventualities is a simple thing … if you’ve made a winter vehicle survival kit that is!
