Getting stuck in the snow is one of those things you probably don’t think will happen, until it does. When we lived in New Mexico, I JUST HAD TO GO to town (as my husband likes to remind me). It wasn’t wintery but nothing major. On my way home, I slid off into the bar-ditch and got stuck in what looked like a blizzard. I don’t know where it came from but I was stuck as stuck could get be. When I called my husband to rescue me and the kids, he got stuck. Luckily me and the kids were rescued by a friend of ours and taken to a warm home. My husband on the other hand, had to spend the night in his truck. It was horrible. The only thing he had going for him was the fact that the truck was a diesel. He had nothing else though. I guess you just never know what can happen.
If you live in an area that expects any kind of snow, I highly recommend you keep an emergency winter car kit in your rig. You can buy some key items for low cost that will keep you safe and warm for several hours until helps arrive. Some emergency items to include are:
- Blankets– We keep a zip-n-go blanket, as well as, a package of emergency blankets found in the camping section.
- Water– I recommend at least 4 or 5 bottles of water to keep you hydrated.
- Snacks– Protein bars are a great snack to have. They provide you with some of the essentials your body needs and are filling.
- Emergency candle– A candle will be useful for warmth. Just be safe with it and don’t buy a regular candle. You need to buy one specific for emergencies. It burns differently.
- Matches– Obviously you need a way to light the candle. They may come in handy in other ways too.
- Warmers– I LOVE the hand and toe warmers found in the hunting section. We always use these during the cold playoff games.
- Flashlight– Great when you need light!
- Ice Scraper– Will need at some point to see out your window! (I bought this for a $1 at walmart!)
- Kitty Litter– This is super handy for those smaller stuck moments. You pour some around your tires to help with traction.
- Hammer– If your situation is more serious and you fall down into a drawl, you may need a hammer to break a window out. I promise you won’t be able to open the doors if the snow drifts against the doors.
As you can, these are common sense, basic items. I also typed up and printed a banner to put on the container. It’s just a way to let my boys know to keep their hands off. It’s for emergencies only!
You can easily shop for and create the kit for well under $25. What other items would you include your emergency winter car kit? Did I miss something?
Cat Davis says
That’s a really good idea. We should definitely put one of these together. And thanks for the cat litter tip, I’ve never heard of that.
Dawn says
Our family recently relocated to Alaska from Texas and have learned quickly the importance of having an emergency kit. I also keep an extra set of gloves and hats for everyone in the family.
A Cowboy's Wife says
Extra gloves is a great idea! Perhaps even extra socks too. I know my feet always get cold. Welcome to Texas!!
Becky says
I carry candles in a #10 can with matches for heat in the car.You can burn the candle in the can without fear of getting burnt. I also have a #10 can to use as a potty in case we’re stuck for a long time.Plus all that you have listed.
A Cowboy's Wife says
I have heard about people using a can to potty in, etc. I guess I should have included that cause if Truett was with us, he’d need to pee!
Katie Jones says
That’s really a great idea for an emergency kit. most of us don’t think about that till something happens but gathering such a kit and placing it in your car is easy and doesn’t cost you time but will help you in case of emergency.
Kris says
I just found this through Pinterest and it’s a great list. I just have a quick question about storing water in your car during the winter. Do you empty some of the water out so when it freezes it doesn’t split the bottle or do those bottles expand well enough for freezing? Thanks so much.
Kathie Peters says
I have tea packets, sugar, creamer packets, instant coffee and cocoa, and broth packets and a plug in mug that warms and plenty of water. 2 – 1 gal. jugs and 8 individual bottles. Also a towel, extra gloves, socks, boots or shoes, pants, shirt and jacket and ski mask or hat and neck scarf and wet wipes to clean because what if you get all wet before you are totally stuck or HAVE to get out for an unholdable bathroom break and get wet??? You need warm,dry clothes to change into or just extra layers to help stay warm. Also a heating pad and inverter to go with the the hot hands and feet to help warm the torso from time to time. Emergency sign in BRIGHT ORANGE to post in window and a bright ORANGE ribbon to attach to the antennae to help you stand out. A couple of books would be great and a deck of cards to pass the time.
Bunny says
Don’t forget jumper cables dead battery is one of winters nasty tricks… Also keep in mind that running your vehicle can be deadly if you have run off the road, always make sure your exhaust pipes are cleared of snow and ice or the fumes can kill.
Sandra says
A shovel, a vehicle brush, pair of sturdy (and warm) boots, a few plastic trash bags and a roll or two of paper towels,
Keep at home and bring in your purse or jacket – smartphone extra charged battery pack. There are several on the market that you charge up the battery and can use to run your smart phone longer.
Always pay attention to weather forecasts, very seldom does bad winter weather “come out of no where;” for many things, bad weather predicted, just, stay close to home.
Timothy Volkers says
Hello just read yr article, I live in Michigan. We get large amounts of snow that comes off of lake Michigan. I have been building a car kit for the winter. One thing good to include is a small folding shovel. Perhaps even a hatchet or machete to break thru hardened snow and ice. I had my first major winter last year in my newer car. A couple of times things got a little hairy. So I kept a small garden shovel and a large fleece blanket, just in case it went from hairy to hellish quickly
kriz says
Obviously no one has used the kitty litter for traction. I see this all the time and laugh my butt off. If you grab the most common type….. that clumps, your going to have one check of a slimy mess and it certainly won’t get you out. What you need is the old fashioned type that doesn tclump.
Better yet get some sand. It can be used as weight to keep your vehicle on the road better. Some, common sense driving is needed. If needed for traction, you have plenty of it. I think it comes in 50 lb bags. But a floor mat, tree branches…. anything would work better than clumping kitty litter. Save that stuff for DIY emergency toilet with trash bags. Add a bit of clumping kitty litter, after you go. Helps keep odors at bay a bit…. bury bag when it gets to a full line your comfortable with.
Diane Reese says
A hand-crank radio is good. Another useful tip is a phone app that is flashlight, emergency strobe light and SOS flash/ping. Extra mitts, scarf, toque or earmuffs, even a vest to slide under your jacket. A scrap or length of reflective material to hang out your window or tie to your antenna to alert passing vehicles. A small first aid kit is also a good idea.
Anna says
You can get very useful first aid kits from both “Health and Beauty” and in the fishing area of Walmart. Comes from “Johnson and Johnson”. Very useful for short term situations and possibilities. (Don’t forget another one for the tackle box – those hooks HURT and they’re dirty!! LOL) They’re a little bit of nothing when it comes to price.
Kelly says
My grandmother always packed emergency kits for us. She always included a roll of toilet paper, an empty tuna can, some votive candles, an empty soup can, a couple packets of dry chicken noodle soup, several tea/coffee bags or hot chocolate packets, matches, and some protein bars. It was all packaged in a coffee can. The tuna can was meant to hold the votive candle, the soup can was meant to collect snow for boiling water for drinks or soup. The coffee can was meant to be used for an emergency toilet in the car. She also included a red handkerchief. It can be used as a bandage, or could be tied to the antenna of the car so that the car could be found in heavy drifts. Back then, there were no hand warmers or mylar blankets, so those are great to have these days. As a side note, her husband was missing for three days in a blizzard. The handkerchief on the antenna saved his life and he was rescued by a passing motorist and given shelter until the weather cleared and the roads cleared enough for him to get out. The family that helped him had no phone or heat other than a fire in a woodstove, but he was alive and thankful. Now, cars no longer have external antennas, of course.
Ally says
Something to read like a book?
A Cowboy's Wife says
That’s a great idea!
Anna says
Won’t that use up whatever form of “light” that we choose to use? Phone flashlight, candle, car (roof) light? I guess the same could be said for cards too, I guess. However, they make battery lanterns that are awesome, even a small LED one would save batteries, keep your spirits up, (the dark takes a toll on your spirits), and give you enough light to play cards or read a book.
Thank you for the advice and thinking of specific situations that I would have, otherwise!