November 18
Monday:
Winter is coming, so it’s time to consider winter prep. I know for some, like me in Texas, winter is not as big a change as it is for those north of us. Did you know there is no state in the continental United States that has never experienced a snow or ice storm? Even Hawaii has snow, and we all know about Alaska. Only the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have never had snow. Ask a Texan about Snowmageddon. As always, get out your notepad to make notes as you read the daily challenges.
Whether living in the city or commuting a distance, you should always be prepared with a good kit in your car. For city dwellers, we all know we can be "stuck" at work for the night due to power outages, civil disruptions, weather, or a variety of other reasons. Having a good kit in your car can make this overnight stay an adventure rather than a drudgery. You may live in an area not normally threatened by snow and ice storms, but will you be driving to grandma’s or going skiing this winter?
Your car(s) are an important part of any emergency plan. Boring, maybe, but essential, yes.
Today get out your auto kit so you can evaluate your preparedness as we proceed this week.
Tuesday:
There are things every good auto kit should include whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall. (Are you humming the song now?) Let’s begin with the items that are year-round. You should know by now my love for mylar emergency blankets. When preparing for winter be sure you have one for every passenger. There are many winter uses so having that many will enable two people sitting together to share for warm while still providing for one to lay on the ground when changing a tire or putting on chains and ones for use as a poncho if it is raining or snowing and you need to leave your vehicle.
Glow sticks and flashlights. Again, I love glow sticks. They will work in the heat of the summer and cold of winter. Flashlight, especially one with beams that illuminate far distances are great but remember batteries can explode in the heat and freeze in the cold. Be sure to check batteries frequently.
First aid kits need to be checked often to be sure you haven’t already borrowed all the bandages, or the anti-bacterial gel has passed the expiration date.
Wednesday:
Today let’s keep our travelers happy. Add bottles of water, food bars or other snacks such as nuts and hard candy to your kits or be sure to have these items in a container you can grab and add to the car before each trip. If you live in a warmer area and a freak winter storm hits and your pipes burst that trip to a family member with a nice warm home and a shower may take 3 or 4 times longer than you expect.
Cell phone charger, need I say more?
Boredom is a huge problem when stuck in a storm. Be ready with pencil and paper, travel size games, coloring books or whatever works for the age and interests of those normally traveling with you. Tea light candles in a can or glass container will keep your car warmer than freezing. Large plastic garbage bags to insulate or protect. Do you remember moon boots? They were simply an inexpensive boot lined with a plastic bag and a layer of foam. You can accomplish the same thing by placing plastic over your dry socks and them slipping your foot back into your shoes. So many uses for a plastic bag.
emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely co
Thursday:
Add a bag of sand or kitty litter to provide traction under tires should you get stuck in the snow, on ice and mud. Add hats, gloves, socks and blankets to your auto kits. If you should need to change a tire or leave the car be prepared to change wet socks. Wet socks may lead to fungal infections, trench foot, blisters, and frostbite. Finally for this day don’t forget the anti-freeze.
Friday:
Finally for this week, work gloves. The obvious reason for work gloves is for working however if you are in a situation facing freezing temperature they work in a pinch as gloves. Time to check and add tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, road flares, tire repair kit, air pump, basic tool kit, knife, shovel, tow rope, flares and reflectors. Quite the list but only a few are winter specific so you should already have most of them if you have kept up with our weekly posts this year. Be sure you review this week’s tasks and add any items you need to purchase to your notes.
Saturday:
Time to take your list and shop for items you need to add to your kits to be better prepared for travel in winter.
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