Winter is on its way and it’s important to make sure that you are prepared for any emergency that might occur while you’re driving. Snowstorms, ice storms and white outs are just a few of the incidents that we could face while driving during the winter months.
Having an emergency car kit is imperative, especially in the winter months. If you have a breakdown or get stuck on the road behind an accident, in a snowstorm, or other incident, having an emergency car kit can help keep you safe for several hours or even days.
You can purchase an emergency car kit, or make your own, specific to your needs. Some things to consider for your car kit:
- Make your kit specific to your family needs (children, elderly, persons with disabilities, pets),
- Keep extra medication handy if you are diabetic or have another condition that requires medication at regular intervals
- Keep snacks, food, and drinks in your emergency kit
- Blankets
- Flashlights
- Heat packs for gloves or socks
- Don’t forget about your pets! Keep food, water, collar, leash in your car and any medications they may need
- Be specific to the season and current weather conditions
- If traveling on a long road trip, be sure to share your route, scheduled stops, arrival times, etc. with family and friends, particularly if bad weather is expected
- Always keep your gas tank at least half full
- Keep a cell phone charger in your car
- Keep a small amount of cash on hand in case electricity or other systems fail
Here are some helpful links about emergency preparedness:
For more information, contact Kathy Branton, Manager, Business Continuity and Emergency Management at kathy.branton@humber.ca.
Kathy Branton, MA.DEM.
Manager, Business Continuity and Emergency Management