by Irene Davault

Created on: December 17, 2011   Last Updated: December 21, 2011

A medium size duffel bag makes a good car carryall. It can hold emergency supplies to carry in your car in case of snowstorms encountered when traveling during the winter months.

If you have never experienced a delay or breakdown during a snowstorm on the road away from home, this article will be of benefit. It is not wise to wait for something unexpected to happen, prepare for it now and play safe.

The duffel bag should hold extra winter clothing, flashlight and batteries, cell phone and car charger. Have 72 hours of food and water for all passengers. Have woolen socks, water proof and wind proof rain gear with a head cover. Woolen undergarments, wool repels water better than cottons. Have some cold weather mittens or gloves and a good head cover.

If the duffel bag is not adequate then emergency supplies carried in individual backpacks will ensure that everyone will be protected during a snowstorm. 

The emergency food supply could include string cheese, jerky, and crackers. Apples or dried fruit do well. You want to have plenty of bottled water. Have some hard candy with vitamin C and nuts or peanut butter.

To relieve stress some cards, word game books, pencils, and magazines to read, to help pass time away until help comes. It is especially useful and less stressful to have one when traveling with your family.

Have your car serviced properly and make sure you have snow chains or snow tires. Keep your gas tank full just in case you are stalled or have a breakdown. You can run your car about ten minutes every hour to keep warm

Before leaving, call the Highway Patrol for road conditions. It at all possible only travel during the daylight hours and on well-traveled roads. Let someone know when you are leaving, where you are going, route you are going to take, and estimated time of arrival.

In a breakdown, you want to keep calm, avoid over exertion, getting wet and cold, which can lead to hypothermia. Stay in your car and do not attempt to walk for help. Crack a window the opposite side of blowing wind, snow or rain. Make sure, if you are in deep snow, that the tail pipe is clear of snow buildup.

Traveling in the winter will have its own problems to deal with but it need not be a disaster for passengers stalled along the road due to a breakdown or winter snowstorm conditions.

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