Being prepared

This is just a short note about being prepared.  We all hear about it, but how many actually DO it.

Every winter we get together two winter car kits.  They are basically just smaller Rubbermaid tubs and inside them we put a few tea light candles, some matches in a plastic bag or metal tin, a pair of gloves or mittens, a hat, some hard candies, a large black or dark green garbage bag or two, and a granola bar.  For me, I also put some car "knitting" and a book.

Also in the car goes a wool blanket, a small snow shovel and some sand or sand and salt mix.  You could use kitty litter if you have that handy instead. You could also put a bottle of water or two in there, but remember, it is winter and it will probably freeze.  If you hope to heat it up, you will need a little tin cup or a pot and some way to get it out of the bottle if it's a plastic container. Place any other items that you feel you will need in there as well.  Some people put a sterno can or two, some will put those little hand warmer packs that once you open the package they heat up.  Think about what you feel you would need to keep you happy, sane, and patient. Please also keep in mind that you will need to have a window cracked while using a sterno can in the car.

Just these few items placed in the trunk or back seat of your car can save you a lot of aggravation and worry if you should be on a road trip and your car breaks down, you run out of gas or the weather prevents you from going any further.

A few years ago there was a very bad snow storm that came through that had a few hours of sleet on top of the ice and one of the major highways closed down with hundreds of cars and trucks stuck on the highway as they couldn't get up the mountain.  Some of those people were on the road, in their car for a day or two.  I am sure none of them expected that to happen, but it did.  I also expect many of them had no safety or comfort items with them.  Yes, the National Guard had been called in and brought items to all these people stranded in their cars, but I am sure that the waiting must have been agony for the occupants.

I hope todays post will help you think about what you will put into your winter car kit and make one up for each car in your home.