Junk in the Trunk or Travel Survival Tips

As winter weather strikes, the risks of traveling increase as well. But not all winter weather situations have to be dreadful. With the addition of a few items to your car, you'll be able to handle almost anything that drifts your way. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security advises drivers to prepare a winter emergency safety kit for every vehicle that contains a few items critical to your safety. Whether you have a minor slide off or a significant crash, the following items will help you mitigate a variety of winter emergencies.
A key component to remaining safe is maintaining body temperature. For that reason, it is recommended that every driver keep at least two blankets or a sleeping bag handy for added warmth. Experts also recommend keeping extra clothing in a vehicle; specifically warm weather clothing such as jackets, boots, hats and gloves. If blankets or extra clothing are not available, floor mats and seat covers are a viable secondary option for warmth. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also recommends keeping a bottle of water in the vehicle. Not only does this help avoid dehydration, it also keeps drivers and passengers from eating snow, which can further lower body temperature.
Drivers and passengers are also encouraged to stay in their vehicle as much as possible. While in the car for an extended period of time, it is best to run the engine for no more than 10 minutes every hour. When the vehicle is running, leave the downwind window slightly open for ventilation and ensure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow. This keeps poisonous gas from the exhaust filtering into your vehicle. If you must leave your vehicle during the emergency, it is recommended that you secure a line of rope to yourself to avoid getting lost or disoriented.
Another key to survival in winter emergencies is obviously drawing attention to the accident. Lighting an emergency flare or shining a flashlight draws attention to an area that may not have been previously observed. This is particularly important for travelers in rural areas. Equally as important is a cellular phone in order to contact emergency services. It is also a good idea to keep a cellular phone battery charger or booster in the vehicle. If road flares or a flashlight are not available, a secondary option may be to tie a brightly colored fabric, such as a handkerchief or towel, to the antenna, mirror or door handle of the car. Ultimately, the goal is to catch the eyes of people that may be in the area so be creative and as resourceful as needed.
Not all emergencies, fortunately, are of the disastrous type. However, even minor incidents can present significant challenges to the unprepared. The first item that belongs in a car for winter weather is an ice scraper. The more important part of that item is using it! It is not a good idea to travel with ice or snow covering portions of your car. Before putting a vehicle into drive, make sure it is cleaned off. In the event of a slide off, it is beneficial to have sand or cat litter available for tire traction. Bags of sand are also handy for adding weight to trucks that have a lighter rear end and therefore a tendency to slide. The occasional slide off can also lead to tire damage, so it is a good idea to have a tire repair kit and pump handy for minor repairs. Cold weather is also hard on car batteries. To give your car the jump-start it needs, keep a pair of booster cables or a battery charger handy. Finally, for those times that you may be caught in deep snow courtesy of a plow truck, having a shovel available is beneficial.
While the optimal choice would be to avoid winter weather emergencies as a whole, you never know when an emergency will arise. Above all, the most important tool for safely mitigating winter emergencies is maintaining your cool. By remaining calm and rationale, your chances for a safe rescue are dramatically increased.
About the Author
Jill works for Inside Real Estate a company devoted to top service for people looking for their next home. They have sites covering El Paso Texas real estate and Corpus Christi Texas real estate. They also keep a blog covering Corpus Christi real estate statistics