Comments on: 10 Must-Have Items for Winter Driving

By: diane rogers

diane rogers — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:51:53 +0000

I carry the blanket, the scraper, lined rubber boots, water shoes, a trowel/shovel/heavy duty scissors, first aid kit, flashlight,flares,water , dog “poop” bags which work for humans too , a spare set of windshield wipers, windex to make sure the windshield on the inside is clear too, and a whistle. Oh I forgot the 6 foot of rope with a clip in case the dogs and I have to walk out or haul out. Bad weather is bad weather no matter the season, no matter the region.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:46:56 +0000

irradiated “milk.” Water is great, and should be there too, but boxed Almond/soy/rice/etc milk provide calories needed as well.

By: Denien Nachtrieb

Denien Nachtrieb — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:36:38 +0000

All of the notes below are all wonderful advise! @ Wolfsdawn, as a former interior Alaskan resident of 35 years, you can keep your water jug from bursting by not completely filling it. Leave a couple of inches for expansion, I know this from experience. Another suggestion I have for your “emergency kits” is to keep a couple of bottles of HEET in your car. This is the gas additive that with eat any water in your gas tank or lines that may have accumulated. A lot of cars can have condensation in their tanks from being warmed in a garage, then going outside condenses that moisture. Be sure to get the right HEET for your make of car, carborator or injectors. Also, an experience of Alaska winters.

By: carol b

carol b — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:17:28 +0000

a 1lb metal coffee can with a roll of TP and rubbing alcohol. makes a small heater. put tp in can and pour alcohol on it and lite. you do have to be careful because flames will be hard to see and also keep a window cracked. my sons learned this in scouts years ago. also remember cell phones do not always have signals….maybe we should have an old fashioned cb radio also

By: David

David — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:38:59 +0000

Composure! If you are tense and/or tired, take a minute or two to calm down,take a couple of deep breaths and evaluate your situation. Avoid panic and if there are others in the car try not to point out “who’s fault” it is because it can knock the wind out of the sails.

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:25:26 +0000

You might add to that list a large plastic garbage bag that can be made into a quick poncho to ward off extreme cold, a large candle that can warm up the interior of the car if you’re trapped in a blizzard, and 2 coffee tins – one to melt snow in for drinking water over the candle, and one to pee in without having to get out in the extreme cold (BE SURE TO LABLE TO TINS FOR THEIR INTENDED USE!).

By: LFinTexas

LFinTexas — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:33 +0000

A great idea for a portapotty is a small coffee can (used to be the one pounder) lined with gallon size freezer zip loc bags. When you’re too far from a restroom, these are a life saver. If you do have to use one, PLEASE put the zipped baggy into your trash container and discard when you get close to a trash bin! Nothing worse than seeing used containers on the road sides!

By: MPelton

MPelton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:23:22 +0000

Besides all of the above I carry a couple of cans of tuna and vegtables also dog and cat food. Extra hats, gloves, sharp hunting or kitchen knife and rope.

My husband laughed at me the first time we went on a trip together, he wanted to know if I was ever trapped in a storm, my reply was no but I will be prepared if I do get stuck.

By: jsowers

jsowers — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:52:52 +0000

In addition I carry a small bottle of bleach for instant traction if get stuck on ice