Nothing spoils the holiday season more than an unfortunate highway issue – either from weather or an accident. I am a firm believer that, if you are prepared, you never have to worry. It’s sort of like “insurance” to keep you and your family safe.
Plan Ahead for a Roadside Emergency Kit
We all like to think that it would never happen to us. According to the Wisconsin DOT, there are, on average, 20,000 motor vehicle crashes each winter season within the state. In these crashes, 6,000 people are injured. On average, an additional 60 people die in fatal winter-related car accidents every year in Wisconsin. That is 20,000 drivers who didn’t think it would happen to them…and 60 unlucky souls who didn’t make it out.
I can think of several occasions where icy roads, poor visibility, and even heavy snowfall caused multiple vehicle pile ups on highways where the now stranded, and possibly injured, motorists had to wait hours to be assisted.
If you don’t have an Emergency Roadside Kit, it’s time to make one!
Consider including the following:
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Jumper Cables
- Tools
- Fuses
- Gloves
- Flares
- Candles
- Matches
- Blankets
- Hats
- Shovel
- Cat Litter (for traction- preferably CLEAN)
That is just the basics for a basic kit – you need to add in special items if you live with inclimate weather. We take a 5-Gallon bucket, fit with a toilet style flip lid, and add the following items:
- Water Bottles
- Protein Bars
- Handwarmers
- Extra Socks
- And something to take care of eliminated waste like Double Doodie Bags
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