Weather can be extremely unpredictable, and winter weather can present us with a number of issues if we find ourselves caught unprepared.
Depending on your geographical location, having a winter survival kit can be extremely important. If you’re in a region where temperatures drop below freezing and ice and snow accumulations are common, you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with the risks or winter travel. No one wants to be stuck in a ditch in freezing temps, and being stuck isn’t the only consequence that you may face if caught unprepared. Having the right automotive winter survival kit is extremely important and could be the difference between life and death.
As a great example of how winter can wreak havoc when unprepared, look at the Texas winter storm of 2021. Even in an area of the country where moderate weather has nearly always been the norm, winter managed to strand unprepared motorists for extended periods, damaged homes and infrastructure, and wreaked havoc on the power grid. There are some great articles where you can learn more about this specific event here.
What’s in an automotive winter survival kit?
Simply put, this kit should contain the supplied necessary for you to sustain your life (and the lives of passengers) for an extended period of time as well as allow you to attempt self rescue if necessary/possible.
Where should I keep my winter survival kit?
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Recommended kits:
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Make your own:
Following along with the our *downloadable automotive winter survival kit pdf coming soon, you should be able to source all of the items you need from various retailers both local and online. Keep in mind that this can take some time, and if you’re anything like me, I hate spending time shopping for things that don’t provide me immediate gratification!
If you feel your time is a premium and you’d rather purchase a preassembled first aid kit. Here are some kits that we have reviewed and feel confident in recommending.
*Recommendation 1
*Recommendation 2
Final Thoughts:
As a general rule, we all care about our own well being and safety. If you have a family, you already understand that this sense of responsibility and feeling of accountability increases substantially. It’s critical that you are prepared to take care of yourself and your loved ones if you are caught out in the winter weather. Being prepared can drastically increase your odds.