If yesterday taught me anything, it was that living in the South doesn’t excuse me from being prepared for snow. We were fortunate to only spend an hour trying to get home yesterday (a normally 10 minute drive). But I personally know dozens of the THOUSANDS of people in the Birmingham area that either, spent 12+ hours in their car yesterday (including sleeping in it overnight), abandoned their car and got out and walked home or to a friend’s house or retailer/restaurant providing shelter, or had to be rescued from their cars by people on ATVs and taken to a shelter.
I realized how ill-prepared I am had I been stuck in worse traffic. And shame on me because 99% of the time I’m in the car, my son is with me! Once this mess clears up, I’m going to have blankets and bottled water in my car during the winter. And a friend suggested toilet paper and extra gloves and socks as well.
Here are some items that may help you make sure you are prepared for a “worst-case scenario”:
Keep blankets in the car or the trunk of the car. If you want to save space, try these Emergency Mylar Blankets – 84″ x 52″ (4 Pack)
- 4 Pack. Individually Folded and Sealed
- Provides compact emergency protection in all weather conditions
- Retains/reflects back 90% of body heat
- Made of durable insulating mylar material designed by NASA for space exploration
- Reusable, waterproof and windproof
These would be great to keep in the car year-round!
First Aid
A well stocked first aid kit is a must! This AAA 121-Piece Road Trip First Aid Kit
If you require special medications (inhaler, insulin, etc) do you carry that with you always? You need too! I know people that were stranded in this snowstorm for 12 hours. What would happen if you didn’t have your medication for 12 hours?
Contact lens wearers need to consider carrying a spare pair of contacts or always having your glasses with you. I know if I lost my contacts just on a regular day there would be no way I’d be getting home!
These are also things that you need anytime – not just in the winter!
Yes, it’s true, I didn’t even have so much as an ice scraper in my car!
Bottled Water
Cold Weather Gear
Buy everyone a toboggan and pair of gloves and toss them in a large Ziploc bag with an extra pair of socks and keep them with the blankets.
Tissues, Toilet Paper and/or Baby Wipes
‘Cause you just never know…
Flashlights and Extra Batteries.
Another good one to keep at all times, not just the winter. These Wind-Up Flashlights
What else would you add to your car emergency/snow day preparedness kit?
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