What to Carry in Your Car During the Winter in Chicago

Chicago's Blizzard of 2011 has been the cause of several feet of snow and is behind the onset of outdoor activities. Chicagoans have been outdoors shoveling driveways and parking lots and walking through the local neighborhoods to see the damage that mother nature has handed us.

There are abandoned cars along the roads with Lake Shore Drive receiving the most damage with 1000 abandoned cars. Chicagoland residents were stuck in their cars for some time before leaving them to face the storm. Although there was nothing comfortable about the blustery cold these items may help in wintry situations like this.

Telephone and Charger

During Chicago winter's it's important to keep your cell phone and car charger on you at all times. The weather is temperamental and can change on a whim and accidents can occur. Be sure to charge your phone before leaving your home, also.

Water

Although it's very important to keep water in your car throughout the year make sure you have a gallon of water in the car during the winter months. Dehydration is a severe issue and during a large storm you could be stranded on the side of the road for hours.

Blankets

Being broke down on the side of the road is very stressful but there's nothing worse than being broke down in freezing weather. Though a single blanket may not provide adequate warmth it does help.

Small Flashlight

If you already have a mag-lite in your car then make sure you have batteries that work or keep a couple of extra batteries in the console of your car. Regardless of a storm; the sun goes down very early during the winter months and you could be stranded on the side of the road in the pitch black. Looking for items in your car will be made much easier if you have a flash light handy.

Gas

Winter months are the worst time to break down in Chicago but running out of fuel is unnecessary. Although gas is expensive you should never have less than a quarter of a tank of gas during the winter months regardless of the weather conditions. Knowing that you only travel a couple of miles to and from work often allows people to believe they don't need a whole tank of gas but having to abandon your car in the middle of snow storm could have been avoided.

Jumper Cables

If your car has been left by the side of the road for hours or days you may need to jump start your car before you're able to move it again. Not everyone carries jumper cables so you can't rely on someone else to provide it for you.

Snow Boots

Snowy, wet conditions are very common here in Chicago but there's no reason to have wet ,cold feet if you don't have to. If you have to get out of your car be sure to wear snow boots or water resistant boots. Your extremities are the first to succumb to the cold and suffer from frost bite. It's important to stay as warm and dry as possible.

Cooler

Keep a small cooler with dry foods such as crackers or rice cakes, nuts, granola, trail mix and string cheese. The foods are filling and can carry you over until you reach a safe destination.