How to Prepare for Winter Kit Ideas – Items to Keep In Car and Home During Snowstorms

BRRR! That describes the current temperatures here in Cincinnati, OH during this cold, wintery season. I have lived my fair share of cold seasons and, over the years, have amassed a great list of ways to prepare a helpful kit for your household. You never know when you might be snowed in for several days.To get your kit started, here are a list of essentials I have found help us get through the cold snaps.If you are traveling and get slowed down or stopped during to inclement weather, here is a kit you can keep handy in the trunk of your vehicle.

• Shovel – this will help when possibly getting stuck in a trench
• Ice and windshield scrapers – these are important to keep your windows visible during torrential storms
• Water – keeping a case of water to stay hydrated is vita
• Flashlight – this will help in darker nights when stranded
• Portable Radio – you may be in an area where cell service is limited or restricted. Having a battery-powered radio can keep you apprised of your surroundings and not drain the battery of your automobile radio
• Snack food and bars – this will give you quick, sustainable nourishment and minimize the mess and need to prepare something hot or cold. Energy or protein bars are a great way to stay full. This can include trail mix, raisins, goldfish, crackers, granola bars and protein bars
• Roadside Flares – this helps keep you visible even in the darkest of storms and allows other motorists to see you stranded
• First-Aid Kit – always a must-have in your vehicle. This includes allergy medications, bandages and thinks you might need for you and your passenger. I also include lip balm and lotion to protect the exposed areas of my skin from dry, cold weather
• Candy – if you travel with a diabetic and need a quick fix of sugar for yourself or them, portable candy will help
• Blankets – As you reserve your heat and gas in your vehicle, you will find the temperature drops quickly. Stay warm with extra blankets you have packed
• Lighters, waterproof matches and candles – these emergency candles can burn up to 115 hours and provide light in the darkest of nights
• Rope – if you get stuck in a ditch, having a rope to help pull you out will help when a tow truck is not readily available
• Jumper Cables – colder temps can drain the car battery. Having cables after being stranded for some time can help start your car
• Rock Salt or Kitty Litter – this will help melt the snow and ice around your tires and give you some traction to move your car out of a stuck area
• Cellphone, cords and chargers – you will need to keep power to your phone as long as you can to reach 911 or other emergency assistance.
• Extra gloves, scarves, hats and socks – these help keep the susceptible areas of your body warm, including hands and feet.

If you are snowed in for several days at home, the chances are that you could lose power and need to have provisions for you, your family and any pets you have in the home. Here are things you can keep around the house in the event you lose power, are unable to leave or have pipes that freeze up (note, read tips on preparing your pipes for colder temps here).

• Shovel – this will help when possibly getting stuck in a trench
• Water – keeping a case of water to stay hydrated is vita
• Flashlight – this will help in darker nights when stranded
• Portable Radio – you may be in an area where cell service is limited or restricted. Having a battery-powered radio can keep you apprised of your surroundings and not drain the battery of your automobile radio
• Snack food and bars – this will give you quick, sustainable nourishment and minimize the mess and need to prepare something hot or cold. Energy or protein bars are a great way to stay full. This can include trail mix, raisins, goldfish, crackers, granola bars and protein bars.
• Portable Cooler for Medications – if you have medication that needs refrigerated, putting them in an insulated cooler and keeping it outside can help keep them temped during power outages.
• First-Aid Kit – always a must-have in your house. This includes allergy medications, bandages and thinks you might need for you and your family.
• Blankets – With no power, you will find that the house can become colder, quicker. Keep blankets around to wrap and snuggle up for warmth.
• Lighters, waterproof matches and candles – these emergency candles can burn up to 115 hours and provide light in the darkest of nights
• MRE’s – this will give you well-rounded meal varieties to eat without the need for cooking or heating up with appliances. MRE’s come with a heating source to heat up the food.
• Rock Salt – this will help clear your walkways or paths to access the mailbox, your car and safely make it clear for your kids to make it to the bus stop.
• Cellphone, cords and chargers – you will need to keep power to your phone as long as you can to reach 911 or other emergency assistance.
• Extra gloves, scarves, hats and socks – these help keep the susceptible areas of your body warm, including hands and feet.
• Generator – this can help provide temporary power to your house to do things like heat up water, take a shower, prepare a meal and warm the pipes.
• Gas cans and gas – this will keep your generator powered up.

While I hope none of us ever experience extreme conditions, I hope that these lists help you get an idea of things to keep around the house during extreme weather. Do you have anything you keep for emergencies such as these? Tell us some items you recommend in the comments below.

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