Let's be right up front: We hate winter.  Years spent shoveling snow and pushing cars out of ditches has made it pretty darn difficult for us to see the brighter side (we're told there is one) of the darkest season.

That personal bias aside, the fact is that winter driving can also be downright dangerous if you're unprepared.  Every year brings new stories of drivers who get stranded by a wicked winter storm with little more than a plastic ice scraper and the clothes on their backs.  Like these folks, for example.

With that in mind, we'd like to take a few minutes to review the key components of our trusty don't-leave-home-without-it Winter Survival Kit.  While you may never need it, gathering these few simple items together before you hit the snow- and ice-covered roads is sure to give you a little extra peace-of-mind, knowing that you're ready for the worst winter can throw at you.

Winter Survival Kit

Take a daypack or duffel bag and add the following:

Warmth

Sleeping bags/blankets/space blankets

Warm clothes (hats, long underwear, insulated coveralls

Heat source (Nuwick candle/folding stove)

Waterproof matches/disposable lighter

Chemical hand/body warmers

Nourishment

Non-perishable food (nutrition bars, instant soup etc.)

Bottled water (filled 3/4-full)

Swiss-Army-style knife

Metal camp mug/spoons

Large coffee can (to melt snow/boil water)

Safety

Cell phone/car charger

Flashlight/batteries

Radio/batteries 

First aid kit (including prescriptions)

Brightly colored bandana (to tie to antenna)

Automotive 

Basic tool kit

Jumper cables

Traction aids (sand/cat litter)

Shovel

Tow strap

Duct tape

Extras

Gallon-size re-sealable plastic bags

Garbage bags (for answering Nature's call)

Paper towels/toilet paper

Paperback book/deck of cards  

Related Posts:

Go In The Snow

A Winter Wonderland