Be Prepared

Question: Our 21-year-old is about to graduate and she plans to leave Florida, where we’ve always lived, for Cleveland in January. None of us has ever lived in the north, and she’s arriving there in winter. We’re a little worried about the whole winter travel thing, since she’s had no practice. We’re getting her snow tires, but we keep hearing reference to a “winter emergency kit” for the car and have no idea what that means. Where do we get one in Florida? Answer: The winter emergency kit is not a formal thing so much as it is loosely defined notion of an assortment of items to keep in the trunk in case the car gets stuck in a snow bank or you’re forced to spend a few hours awaiting rescue when the temps are frigid. Therefore, not everyone will agree on every item. But there’s a pretty consistent agreement that from about November until April smart folks carry a few bags of kitty litter in the trunk. The weight provides extra traction in the rear when driving conditions are slick, and the kitty litter itself, piled under tires spinning in snow or ice, can get a car back in motion. Other stuff: a shovel (she can get a collapsible one at a camping goods store if she’s worried about it taking up too much room in the trunk); jumper cables; thick blankets; some energy bars or other nonperishable food that, even if it’s frozen in the trunk will thaw quickly if placed inside a jacket; and some water (which, like the food, can thaw in the car’s cabin and is critical for maintaining body temperature). A shrill whistle is a great idea, as are a couple of flares, both of which could alert folks to her location. Also, although these aren’t strictly emergency kit items, please tell her to have her cell phone charged when she takes off in her car (an in-car charger is a good idea, too) and to always keep the gas tank at least half full. Before she leaves, have a mechanic check the car battery, invest $20 for some heavy-duty winter-weather windshield wipers and tell her to drive slower when road conditions are bad. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.