Winter Survival Kits For Your Vehicle
Facts
- Each year, hundreds of Minnesotans find themselves stranded on the roadside.
- Winter weather can kill an unprepared person who is exposed to the elements within minutes.
Safe Behavior
- Assemble winter survival kits for all of your vehicles. Keep them inside the vehicle where they will be readily accessible. The kit should include:
- Three-pound coffee can, candle stubs and matches which can be used to melt snow for additional drinking water
- Metal or plastic cup
- Red bandanna and a plastic whistle to alert rescuers to your location
- Pencil and paper
- First aid kit, including any essential medications
- Plastic flashlight with spare batteries (reverse the batteries to avoid accidental switching and burnout, and replace batteries yearly)
- Two large plastic garbage bags, safety pins (bags are for insulation for feet, safety pins keep the bags together)
- Snack foods for energy, such as candy bars.
- Some other items that you should carry include gloves or mittens, winter boots, a blanket and/or sleeping bag, jumper cables, a basic toolbox, shovel, bag of sand or other grit for traction, tow cable or chain, road flares and reflectors. You could also consider an extra set of dry clothing or a snowmobile suit.
- Whenever traveling in winter, call ahead to your destination and tell when you intend to leave, your travel route, and your expected time of arrival.
- If you become stranded, never leave your vehicle. Your chances of survival greatly increase if you stay put.
- Consider carrying a cellular phone for use during emergencies. Find a safe place to pull off the road when you need to make a call.
Additional Materials
- For more information about safe driving and winter survival kits, contact the American Red Cross, the Minnesota Safety Council, or the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Contact
- American Red Cross, Twin Cities Chapter
General Information
Phone: 612-871-7676
Web Site: http://www.redcrosstc.org - Minnesota Safety Council
Ann Kulenkamp
Phone: 651-228-7324 or 800-444-9150
E-mail: ann@minnesotasafetycouncil.org
Web site: http://www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org - Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Phone: 651-201-7400
E-mail: dps.hsem@state.mn.us
Web site: http://www.hsem.state.mn.us
