Gear up for winter driving

I’ve never been nervous about winter traveling even though I’ve been stranded several times, once for 24 hours in a snowdrift in North Dakota. I always leave home prepared, although if I am to be stranded, I of course prefer to be stuck in my cozy, snow-blanketed farm. But, hibernation tendencies aside, there are, inevitably, times when one must travel. Whether we’re going for groceries or destined for cross-country vacationing during the holidays, it all starts with getting into a vehicle. And when winter weather is afoot, it’s crucial to keep our automobiles equipped for any circumstance that could arise while traveling icy or blizzard-bound byways. Before we begin stowing gear for survival, though, it’s just as important to be mentally prepared for potentially hazardous driving conditions. Slow Down and Stay Safe No matter what your schedule, winter driving requires a significant slowdown. Since there’s no safe way to power through the weather, budget a bit more time for your trip instead of rushing and pushing the limits of safety. And if the clock is ticking along faster than the miles, just remind yourself to breathe, stay calm and drive slowly. Sing or recite your favorite poems or have an imaginary conversation with someone — whatever it takes to cope with the stress of sluggish travel. Getting Stuck In the event that your car stalls or slips into a snow bank, switch into survival mode. Regardless of age, strength or experience with the elements, anyone can do this! No need to spin the tires trying to get free — it will only dig your vehicle deeper into the snow. Don’t bother getting out and trekking off through the frozen countryside either. Unless there is a home or business nearby, you will conserve energy, heat and sanity much more effectively by staying in your car. This is where preparedness pays off. Think of your vehicle as a little igloo where you can huddle up safely — and even comfortably — until help arrives. Staying Warm It’s tempting to rely on the toasty warmth of your car’s heater when you’re stranded, but there are a couple of reasons to resist running it continuously. If the exhaust pipe is blocked with snow or the wind is blowing into it, carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes can build up inside the car. While not as dangerous as carbon monoxide poisoning, running out of gas is another concern. An average eight-cylinder automobile will burn about 1 gallon of gasoline per hour when idling. You’ll likely be rescued before you run out of fuel, but it’s best to conserve in case you desperately need emergency heat during a frigid night. If you do resort to a quick blast of heat, make sure the exhaust pipe is clear, open a downwind window a crack for ventilation and only idle your car for 10 to 15 minutes every hour. The best bet for staying warm in a stranded car is piling on extra clothing and bedding. Before you begin getting cold, remove any damp clothing, replace with dry items from your emergency stash, and bundle up in blankets or a sleeping bag. Loose layering insulates better than thick layers that cramp circulation. If you must venture out of the car for any reason, don a weatherproof poncho or a large plastic trash bag to prevent your outerwear from getting wet. As silly as it may sound, a little exercise can go a long way to warm you up and loosen tight muscles. Stretch, do stomach crunches and leg lifts, and even bounce up and down in your seat when you start to feel chilly. You might also consider keeping a candle in your survival kit. Paraffin candles are made of petroleum byproducts that are toxic to breathe in, particularly in the close quarters of a stranded car. A Canadian company called Philoxia (www.philoxia.com) offers a “canned” beeswax candle designed for use in a snowbound vehicle. This long-lasting candle also sports a small rack inside its lid, which can support a small pot or mug for heating water and food. Beeswax is considered nontoxic, but it’s still a good idea to keep a window cracked so that you don’t deplete your oxygen supply, and be sure to snuff out the flame before falling asleep. Winter Car Kit Checklist — Cell phone with portable charger and extra batteries (I like the simple functionality of the Jitterbug phone, www.jitterbug.com.) — Emergency phone numbers — Full change of clothes — Extra outerwear — Sleeping bag — Space blanket — Pocketknife — Whistle — Small shovel — Windshield scraper — Radio — Flashlight (and extra batteries) — Beeswax candle — Matches (in water-proof container) — Small pot or mug — 2 gallons of water — Non-perishable snack food — Towrope — Bungee cord — Tire chains — Flares — Jumper cables — Brightly colored flag or help sign — First aid kit — Basic tool kit (including duct tape) — Paper towels — Poncho or large trash bag — Busy work (A book, deck of cards, paper and pens, or a knitting project will help keep you occupied and calm.) Green Survival Gear: Flashlight Batteries in conventional flashlights can freeze, not to mention the fact that worn-out batteries can leach toxic metals into groundwater when tossed in the landfill. Hand-cranked flashlights don’t require batteries. Check out the Garrity Power Lite 3 LED Crank Light, available at Amazon.com. There is also the Hybrid Light Solar Light option. It’s a solar flashlight that gives you 10 hours of light on one full charge and works with batteries as a backup in case the panels aren’t charged, www.hybridlite.com. Water Bottle with Filter Invest in a stainless steel reusable water bottle with a built-in filter so you can drink water from creeks or snow banks. Try the Ech2o Filtered Bottle, available at www.ecousable.com. 3-in-1 Safety Gadget The Freeplay Energy Companion Self-Sufficient Radio, Flashlight and Cell-phone Charger offers both wind-up and charging options, so you can use it far from any outlets. Plus it’s water-resistant and compact enough to tuck in a glove box, www.freeplayenergy.com.