Make Your Own Emergency Road Kit for Winter Driving

Because I live in the cold north, Michigan winter driving is a concern for me. Michigan is known for it's bitter cold weather as well as large snowfalls that, if unexpected, you might find yourself in a very unpleasant situation if you should break down or run out of gas.

Stores and insurance companies offer good deals on road-side service but having it won't guarantee that you would never be caught in a situation where you would not need special items with you to keep you comfortable in the case of an emergency until help comes.

You can find emergency road kits in stores but, to save money and have the ability to personalize your kit, it is best to put an emergency road kit together yourself. Once assembled, you just put it in the trunk of your car.

Compile a list of important information such as your own road-side service phone and account numbers, emergency phone numbers and medical documentation of your own personal conditions. Print this out and put it in the glove box. You might even print out this article and keep it together with your other emergency information.

Next purchase a diaper bag or duffel bag to use in making your emergency road-side kit. These bags are items you can purchase at a resale shop to save money.

Inside your bag and/or trunk you can include as many or as few of the following items as you feel is necessary:

*emergency road flares, jumper cables, fix-a-flat, approved gas can, tools- wrenches, screwdrivers, rubber hammer

*large flashlights and batteries, battery operated radio and extra batteries, watch or battery operated clock and batteries, cell phone with a car charger, folding shovel, rock salt, rope, compass

*funnels, old shower curtain (for ground covering should you need to crawl under the car), a first aid kit, maps, medication, sanitary items- Kleenex, wipes, female items, plastic bags, and rubber bands, cigarette lighter, matches and candles, white handkerchiefs to tie on the handle of your car door or on an antenna

*extra gloves, scarves, blankets, jackets, ear muffs and boots

*nonperishable food such as high energy granola bars, raisins, and peanut butter, containers of water

*sign for window that says HELP or CALL POLICE

In the case of an emergency you should pull off the road and stop. Turn on your hazard lights and if you have a sign that says HELP or CALL POLICE- place it in the window to be seen by passing cars. Remain inside the car and do not open the door for strangers. If someone approaches your car, crack the window and ask them to call for help. Use your cell phone to inform your family of your situation. Keep yourself safe by not standing on the side of the road.

If you are stranded long, turn on the engine every hour or so for about 10 minutes. This will conserve your energy. Keep your window open slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Moving around inside the car will also help to generate heat.

Use the extra blankets and clothing to keep warm. Your comfort will depend on this.

If it is dark out, you can turn on the dome light to alert others who might come to your rescue. Never leave your car to get into a vehicle with a stranger.

Having an winter emergency kit ready will give you peace of mind when you are out driving, especially on a trip. It will also be helpful to have this emergency kit should you come upon another motorist who is unprepared.

You can never be too prepared for the unexpected to happen. It would also be a great idea to make a second emergency road kit for a loved one.