Essential Items to Prepare for Safe Travel in Harsh Winter Conditions

Being stranded in your car during a winter storm can have life-threatening consequences, emphasizing the importance of being well-prepared. According to AAA, winter storms, hazardous weather conditions, and slippery roads contribute to a significant number of accidents and over 2,000 fatalities annually, serving as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by travelers.

Trapped in a blizzard, are you aware of the necessary steps to ensure your survival?

Gray speaks from personal experience, recalling the Atlanta snow jam in 2014 that taught her a valuable lesson. "I found myself stranded on the road for a grueling 15 hours, completely unprepared," she recounted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Guidelines to follow if your flight is canceled or delayed.

Winterizing your car

According to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, it is advised to limit unnecessary travel during severe winter weather. However, if traveling becomes necessary, it is important to be prepared for potential severe weather conditions.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that regardless of the possibility of a severe storm, it is essential to prepare your car for winter weather every fall. They recommend having your vehicle serviced regularly as per the manufacturer's recommendations and also suggest the following steps:

Preparing and packing

- Service the radiator system or check the antifreeze level using an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as necessary.

- Replace the windshield wiper fluid with a winter-specific mixture that includes additives to prevent freezing.

- Ensure the tires have adequate tread and air pressure by using a tire gauge. Replace worn tires and inflate low tires to the recommended pressure for your vehicle.

- Keep the gas tank nearly full to prevent ice formation in the tank and fuel lines.

- Maintain your vehicle's proper functioning by inspecting the heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil, and battery.

A person puts snow chains on a tire while parked in snowy conditions.

Before you leave, it is important to check the weather forecast and inform your loved ones about your destination. In the event that you find yourself stranded in your car during a storm, ensuring your safety and well-being by staying warm, signaling distress, and maintaining your energy and nourishment are crucial. These recommendations are endorsed by AAA, the Georgia agency, State Farm, the CDC, and Almanac magazine.

For such purposes, these organizations recommend you pack the following items:

Well-being

- Packing non-perishable, high-energy items like nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, or beef jerky

- Bringing extra bottles of water (insulated bottles can prevent freezing)

- Carrying a cup or something similar for melting snow to use as drinking water, along with waterproof matches

- Including a first aid kit with adhesive bandages, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap, and a pocketknife

- Bringing rags and hand cleaner (such as baby wipes)

- Packing necessary medications

- Bringing books, games, or DVDs to keep children occupied, if applicable

- Ensuring there are provisions for staying warm

• Hats, wool socks, a coat, hand and feet warmers, gloves, scarves, and blankets (which can be utilized as car window insulation when covering up)

• Hiking boots (particularly crucial for when you need to abandon your vehicle)

• Sleeping bag

• Rain poncho

• Tools

• Distress signals

• Navigation equipment

• Ensure that you have a battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries, and flares for emergencies.

• Keep a brightly colored cloth in your vehicle to tie to your antenna or secure atop your rolled-up window in order to remain visible.

• Remember to fully charge your cell phone beforehand and carry a portable charger.

• Have jumper cables, booster cables with a fully charged battery, or an external battery charger to start your car if the battery dies.

• Keep a basic tool kit in your vehicle for any unforeseen repairs.

• Carry a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in case of emergency broadcasts.

• Be prepared for a potential car fire by having a small fire extinguisher (5-pound, Class B or Class C type).

• Check the pressure of your tires regularly with a tire gauge.

• Carry canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair.

• Have tire or tow chains available if needed.

• Keep a glass scraper in your vehicle for clearing windows of ice or snow.

• Carry a small, collapsible shovel to clear snow from your exhaust pipe and prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas leakage.

• Have sand or cat litter for gaining traction on slippery surfaces.

• Carry road salt to melt ice on your vehicle or on the road.

• Use an anti-gelling fuel additive if your vehicle runs on diesel in cold weather.

• Keep extra winter windshield wipers and antifreeze on hand for maintenance.

• Have a general car emergency kit with local and regional road maps, garbage bags, toilet paper, paper towels, and a gas can.

• Keep a jack and lug wrench in your vehicle for changing tires.

• Use duct tape for temporary fixes.

• Carry foam tire sealant for minor tire punctures.

• Keep scissors and string or cord for various purposes.

• Make sure to have spare change and cash for unexpected needs.

• Carry a compass for navigation purposes.

Behaviors to avoid

If you find yourself in snowy or icy conditions, it's important to avoid certain actions. It is recommended by AAA that you should refrain from leaving your car unless absolutely necessary, as remaining inside it offers temporary shelter and aids in the search efforts of rescuers.

While inside your vehicle, you can engage in light exercise to stay warm. However, it is crucial not to overexert yourself during this time or when clearing your windows or exhaust pipe. To conserve gas and ensure periodic warmth, it's advised to turn on your car for approximately 10 minutes every hour and then turn it off for the remainder of the hour.

You get lost in the wilderness. Do you know how to survive?

During nighttime, keep your dome light on if possible since it uses only a small amount of electricity and can help rescuers find you.

When there is traffic, reduce your speed to half of the usual and shift to a lower gear, but avoid using cruise control. Prior to driving up a hill, maintain some momentum on a flat road. To prevent skidding or spinning out, avoid sudden steering or braking. During nighttime, keep your headlights on low beam to avoid glare and maintain a distance of at least twice the normal following distance from the vehicle ahead.

If you come across a truck spreading salt and gravel, refrain from attempting to overtake it. The gravel has the potential to bounce upward and cause damage to your windshield.

This report was contributed to by Jason Hanna, Steve Almasy, Alisha Ebrahimji, Jennifer Gray, Marnie Hunter, Forrest Brown, and Jamie Gumbrecht from CNN. It was initially published in January 2022 and receives periodic updates for significant winter weather incidents.