As October draws to a close, the weather is getting much cooler and before you know it, the snow and freezing
temperatures will be upon us. It’s time to start thinking about winterizing your life, especially your car.
Car travel with family can already be stressful if you have a child, or three, who don’t exactly appreciate sitting for long periods of time. When you compound the usual “He’s looking at me,” “I’m hungry” and “Are we there yet’s” with adverse weather conditions, a good time is had by none.
If you do a fair amount of long-distance driving over the winter like I do, you’re going to want to be extra prepared. Making up your winter weather car kit now will save you a ton of stress if something unexpected should happen. Having a carload of cold children is no picnic while you’re waiting for roadside assistance. Trust me, I know this from experience.
Luckily, when we were caught roadside with a stalled engine on a 20 degree evening, I had a winter safety kit packed in the trunk. The kids looked at it more as an adventure than an inconvenience. Which, I was grateful for. Two crying little ones in the care of an extremely pregnant woman isn’t exactly a recipe for awesome.
While you’re preparing for the impending chill, pack up these items and you’ll be ready for an icy situation, should one arise:
Blankets: A few fleece blankets go a long way when you can’t rely on the car’s heater.
Candle: If you have a long drive where there is little traffic, having a candle can be a lifesaver. One candle can produce enough heat to keep your car from becoming dangerously cold. Don’t pack a candle that’s poured in glass. While they are made to withstand high heat, freezing temps are a different story.
Scarves, Hats and Gloves: Even if everyone in your family regularly wears them in cold weather, having extras is never a bad idea. I’ve used them for other motorists having roadside emergencies, too.
Flashlight: If you usually have one in your car, make sure the batteries are still working.
Crackers: Having some goodies to munch will satisfy little tummies and distract little brains.
First Aid Kit: Check your First Aid kit to make sure everything is in there. If you don’t have any disposable heat packs, add them.
List of Numbers: Because most people rely on their cell phone address books, they don’t usually keep hard-copies of important numbers. Then, if something happens to the phone, they’re stuck. Write down any emergency assistance numbers you might need. Also, if you have a roadside assistance plan, write down the direct number and your personal ID number.
Being ready for anything is a parental superpower. Now’s the time to prepare for cold weather heroics. It will reduce your family travel stress and if any car trouble should rear it’s ugly head, you’ve got it whipped.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gemstone/4350128614/sizes/s/in/photostream/
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