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Before heading off for a relaxing weekend with the family at the chalet, you always make sure you’re stocked up on antifreeze and gasoline. Congratulations! Perhaps you feel that those precautions make you ready to hit the road. Not so fast! That’s not enough to ensure your safety and your family’s. Become a savvy winter driver by always keeping the following items in your car.
1. WARM CLOTHING AND BLANKETS
When the mercury drops below -30°C, a breakdown in a remote area can have horrendous consequences. Stock your car with extra winter coats, warm sweaters, mitts, toques and thick socks in order to stay warm in an emergency. It’s also wise to have some disposable hand and foot warmers in your glove compartment.
2. COMPLETE FIRST AID KIT
Having a first aid kit in your car is essential, no matter the season, but it’s especially important in winter, when accidents are much more frequent. A first aid kit will not only let you treat minor injuries in the event of an accident, but also help you attract the attention of other motorists for assistance if needed. Check out the list below to make up your own kit, or opt for the simplicity of a pre-prepared one.
- Pair of scissors
- Bandages of various sizes
- Gauze pads of various sizes
- Adhesive tape
- Warm compresses
- Antiseptic compresses
- Nitrile gloves
- Swiss knife or multi-purpose knife
- Seatbelt cutter
- Box of matches
- Emergency light sticks
- Pocket flashlight and batteries or crank flashlight
- Whistle
- Emergency blankets
3. PHONE CHARGER
Long gone are the days when stranded motorists could only rely on flares and good luck. Today, we all have a cellphone that can save our lives in an emergency... providing it’s charged! Did you know that batteries tend to run down faster in cold weather? To avoid unpleasant surprises, always recharge your cellphone before you hit the road, and keep a portable charger or battery pack in your glove compartment at all times. You can even get a crank charger.
4. SNOW REMOVAL TOOLS
Snow scrapers and brushes come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and prices. Do you automatically buy the cheapest? You may come to regret that in an emergency. Opt for quality snow removal tools with long handles and strong, robust components. Also consider getting a portable shovel and an extra de-icer for freeing vehicles stuck in the snow.
5. TRACTION AIDS
Icy roads and ditches aren’t a good combo. Keep traction aids, a tow line and even a bag of sand or salt in the trunk of your car; they’ll be a big help when you or other drivers get stuck in the snow. Make sure your vehicle is properly equipped for winter driving conditions.
6. SNACKS
Although drivers who don’t venture out of their local area are not likely to get trapped in their cars long enough for hunger to be a problem, travellers who take longer journeys should always bring some non-perishable foods, such as energy bars, with them.
7. TOOLS, CABLES AND ROPES
Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you should always carry some basic tools with you, including a flashlight, a starter cable, emergency light sticks and a rope or tow chain. In an emergency, you can then lend a hand before and after help arrives.
Whether you’re taking a short trip or planning a long winter outing, these emergency essentials will help keep you safe in any situation. Stay warm and have a great trip!