what do we have in our car . . . smiles

sorry if its too long?

I've just read the testimonial from the FlyBaby in Wisconsin regarding her emergency kit for her car. I'm on the road a great deal
of the year - I'm a traveling musician - and this winter we've seen a lot of extreme cold - often with wind-chill values of -45° C or lower.
(For those of you who use Fahrenheit, -40° is the same on both, so just think "cold".) Staying home is usually not an option, so a good emergency kit is a must. Anyway, the emergency kit listed by the FlyBaby was quite good, but there were a couple of points that she didn't mention that are critical, and could tip the scales just enough to save your life.

A good emergency candle can provide just enough limited heat to make a difference in the car. You don't run the risk of monoxide
poisoning, plus if you have a small tin cup or can, you can melt snow.

Having juice boxes, water bottles, etc. in the car isn't much use when the thermometer runs in the minus degrees, and eating snow is
dangerous - it dehydrates you. But melting the snow allows you to get water to drink. I have a tea tin that, along with a lid that holds
about 1/3 cup, has a plastic seal. I put several candles and a packet of matches in the tin, and I've cut an "X" in the plastic seal. I can
take out a candle, put the plastic seal back on the tin, and slip the candle through the X, making a secure holder. Then the lid can be used as a cup, if necessary. Put a couple tea bags in the tin as well. Also, a package of HARD candies - peppermints or something - is
also beneficial.

Last winter a woman in her '80s took a wrong turn and became stuck on an unused road. She was in the car for two nights in
sub-zero temperatures, and - fortunately - was found just in time. She had THREE peppermints with her, and somehow managed to eke them out to give her a bit of energy.

There is a radio on the market now that is hand-cranked, and it has a cell-phone charger outlet on it. Having a cell phone is fantastic, but not if the battery dies down. Having the hand-crank to provide power, you know you can recharge enough to get a message through.

Also, this sounds silly, but it's amazing how many of us don't pay close attention to where we are! If you were suddenly forced off the
road, or got stuck in a drift, would you be able to give precise directions as to where you are? In rural areas, saying "I'm near a field" or "I'm about 2 hours west of . . ." isn't good enough. Keep a general awareness as to your location.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER. I'm amazed when I see people wearing running shoes, spike-heeled boots, short little jackets and no hats or
gloves. You can always leave them in the car if you don't think they're stylish enough, but in the long run, which would you rather
be? In style, or alive?

And thank you for reminding people to STAY IN THE CAR. We've had by far too many sad events where people think they can make it to the nearest farmhouse, town, etc.
I hope this doesn't sound preachy, but here where I live, these are messages that can't be repeated often enough. Thanks for letting
me put my two cents in . . .

i thought a torch would be handy with rechargable batteries? a blanket or two would be nice if forced to sleep in car? or a big towel? a book?

I have shells collected from various beaches decorating the top of my dash board and always have garage door opener in my glovebox. but my radio/tape player is not working :p

If i have to wait a long time - no problem making my seat drop back and going to sleep there. So a blanket would be lovely but none there - wait a moment there's always Sam's blanket

What do you all must have in your own car

Ok,
I have a emergency first aid kit in each vehicle and in my primary one ( a pick up of course)I also keep my small rifle and and bulletts.
There is also a blanket kept in each vehicle

In the winter months here in the Mountains:
- Several blankets per person, so my trunk has 4 in there.
- Coffee can, and inside that is matches, toilet paper, and a vice grips.
You ask what the vice grips are for? Well, when you start that little fire to melt down some snow in the coffee can for water to drink and wipe up with, you need something to hold the hot can with.
- Assorted cans of soup. Which can be cooked with the coffee can idea or eaten cold. Can opener no longer needed as now they are pull top.
- Tire chains
- Snow shovel - it's a cute little one that folds up.
- Emergency road kit...has flares, small medical kit, etc.

In the summer months:
- Emergency road kit...that never leaves my car.
- The blankets
- The soup and coffee can kit.
- A little pointed shovel, which also folds up, for digging dirt to put out fires.
- 5 old milk jugs filled with water. Both for fire hazards and drinking.

Oooops, forgot this: duct tape, pocket knife, and a ball of string.

Oops...........did I mention I also have a spare tire and jack and electric air pump.
Thats to blow up the tires sillies

electric? what if you have a flat battery ?

Well then, if you have a flat and a bad battery thats just darn bad luck.
Better keep a pair of hiking shoes in the truck also?????

I'm in soooooo much trouble. Currently in my truck I have a bag of layer pellets, 2 bags of water softner pellets, junk the kiddos collect in there, each of the kids dvd players and maybe one of this weeks newspapers.

I guess I should really think about being better prepared for the "just in case".

Jul

layer pellets could be very nutritious in a survival situation.

wouldn't a jar of vitamins help? to pass some time . . some rice with a clove of garlic with dash of curry one could boil in a mug?

Removed the layer pellets today, so not even a survival ration left in there. LOL.

I so gotta get myself prepared for the "just in case"

Smiles
Jul

oh yeah, I also keep spare oil and a large knife in the vehicle,
the general junk doesnt count. I do drive a truck

lol aww i confess i got hair burshes and hair ribons a few didi wipes and few gum wrapers (guess they could be tasty if nessasry) i do got a mostly empty waterbotle or two. lol OOO BUT I GOT A MELTED RED CRAYON oo yes... see as you all are melting snow and chewin candys. ill be fanstionaly cute with nice hair. and i can use my crayon to send messages on wild stray animals to town. soo there ha ha ha .

lol wildcherry

and I keep my twice barrell,,,,,, just in case