Prep your vehicle's winter travel survival kit now

Despite the fact that it is mid-November, so far those of use in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area have dodged the onset of winter weather and an article in the Omaha World-Herald predicts that we might continue to enjoy a relatively mild fall for a little while longer. But even though we might be sneaking in some extra gorgeous days right now, winter weather is just around the corner.

Of course as we all know, with winter weather comes treacherous driving conditions as snow and ice coat the roadways and limit visibility. Just like we drag those sweaters and heavy coats out of the closet in anticipation of the seasonal shift, there are also things that we can do as drivers—even while the sun is shining—to prepare for the coming winter. One of the most important things is to put together a winter survival kit to keep in your car in the event that you find yourself stuck out on the road in a blizzard or ice storm.

These survival kits are a crucial part of traffic safety in winter months because when you’re stranded by a winter storm, the safest place is staying in your car. Abandoning the car means exposing yourself—and anyone with you—to the harsh elements and risking getting lost in a place without shelter. While it is certainly best to avoid this situation all together by avoiding travel when weather is bad, a properly stocked survival kit in your car can really mean the difference between life and death if the unthinkable happens.

With that in mind, here are some tips from the Nebraska and Iowa Departments of Transportation on what to stock in this vehicle survival kit:

Tools and Equipment

• Booster cables
• Candles and matches in water proof container
• Snow shovel and ice scraper
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Knife or multi-purpose
• Cell phone with a power cord
• Warning light or road flares
• Antifreeze
• Extra windshield washer fluid

Clothing and Bedding

• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Extra hats, gloves and scarves

Food

• High-energy, non-perishable food items such as granola bars, trail mix, peanut butter, crackers
• Bottled water
• Special food items that might be needed for small children, such as formula or powdered milk

First Aid Kit

• Sterile bandages
• Gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Scissors, tweezers and needle
• Cleansing materials, such as moist towelettes, antiseptic and soap
• Thermometer
• Latex gloves
• Basic medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, laxatives

Putting together vehicle survival kits with these basic necessities should simply be another part of gearing up for winter. Most of us will travel a lot over the next few months—whether it’s for holiday visits or simply a part of our daily routine—and putting emergency supplies in your trunk now means not having to worry about it later.