Winter Survival Kit
Create, or purchase, a winter survival kit  to give you more winter driving safety and security.
Most of us who live in Minnesota have found ourselves in winter driving situations where we wonder if we will be stranded or snowbound in our vehicle.
Despite practicing our best winter driving safety skills, a sudden winter blizzard can create a life-threatening situation. Here are several ways to be prepared.
Winter Survival Kit in a Coffee Can
Equip your vehicle with some basic winter survival gear. Here's what you'll need:
- Large metal coffee can with 3 holes punched in the top that are equal distance apart. The other items will be stored inside the can.
- 60-inch length of twine or heavy string, cut into 3 equal pieces. You will use this to suspend the can.
- 3 large safety pins. You will tie the string to the safety pins and pin to the car roof interior so you can suspend the coffee can over the candle.
- A 2" diameter (votive size)candle. Place the candle on the coffee can lid under the suspended can to melt snow.
- 2 books of matches.
- A pocket knife or pair of sharp scissors.
- Several long strips of brightly colored cloth that you can tie to to the antenna or door handle to help searchers locate you.
- Several packets of soup mix, hot chocolate mix, tea bags, bouillon cubes, etc. Mix into the melted snow to provide warmth and nutrition.
- A plastic spoon.
- Several small packages of peanuts and fruit-flavored candy.
- 1 pen light flashlight and batteries (keep separate until needed).
- 1 pair of insulated socks and 1 pair of insulated gloves or glove liners that can fit in the can.
- A sun shield blanket or 2 large green or black plastic leaf bags (to reflect body heat).
When your survival kit in a can is complete, place a stocking cap over the entire kit and stash it in the passenger compartment of your car. If you have a 3 pound coffee can, you will have room for additional items like band-aids, aspirin, a small radio, etc. If there is still room, add more of items you already have included or other items you feel might be necessary.
Beyond Basic Winter Survival Kit
To be well prepared for a longer winter emergency, or to provide for several people, it is wise to store a number of other items in your car.
- Several sleeping bags or blankets and some warm clothing, such as parka, boots, long underwear, heavy socks, mittens, ski mask.
- A heat source, such as a multiple wick candle can heater. Be sure to have matches to light your candle as some lighters don't work in cold weather.
- A radio and large flashlight with extra batteries for both.
- Food, including hard candy, jellybeans, raisins, nuts, candy bars, dehydrated fruit, and jerky.
- Magazines or a book to read to help keep you awake.
- A cup.
- Toilet tissue.
- A whistle to signal for help.
- Nylon rope.
- Cell phone.
Related Links:
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