Driving during a winter event is never fun. Usually the best case scenario is arriving at your destination much later than normal, but sometimes it could mean you get stranded for several hours until the winter storm passes. This time of year it’s always best to be over-prepared rather than being caught off guard, so we’ve put together a survival guide for you to take into consideration this winter season.
Have a Survival Kit Readily Available
Sometimes you can’t predict how severe a winter storm will be. The hope is you’ll get to make it to your destination, but sometimes you have to make a stop at a hotel for the night or flee your vehicle to get to a safe area. Having a survival kit readily available in your car can make a situation like this more bearable. Some of the essential items you may have in your survival kit include:
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Ice scrapers and snow removal tools
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A small shovel to clear your tires from snow
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Wool or synthetic blanket to insulate your body
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Appropriate socks, gloves, shoes, hand warmers, etc. in case you need to walk in the snow
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Snack bars or other food items to hold your hunger over in the event you’re stranded for several hours
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Flashlight or flares to alert other vehicles that you’re stranded
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Tire chains or other traction devices
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Backup power supply for your phone or other electronics
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Get a Checkup on Your Car Before Long Trips
Having the items mentioned above will help you tremendously in the event you get stranded or stuck for longer than you anticipated. However, if you haven’t already, now is the time to have your car serviced to ensure it’s in good health for the winter months. Any minor issues can get addressed at that time, which could be the difference in you getting home safely in your car or having to flee it and take another means of transportation home.
At DeBoer’s Auto, we want to make sure all of our customers are prepared for the winter season. There will always be winter storms that impact our driving and daily lives, being ready for them is half the battle. For more tips like these, feel free to contact us at any time. We are on stand by to answer any questions you may have about your vehicle and to provide advice on how to survive these winter months.
