Winter Car Emergency Kit: Prairies Winter Prep

When you move from Jamaica to Canada, the Prairies to be exact, having a winter car emergency kit is part of navigating this new reality. Winter in the Canadian Prairies is no laughing matter. When I moved to Saskatchewan and bought a car, one of the first things everyone around me made sure I knew was to have a winter car emergency kit stashed in case of emergency during the colder months. I happily took the advice, of course; as a Caribbean native, there was no real understanding of the danger the kit was meant to mitigate at that time. Unfortunately, it was the same winter, my first in Canada, that provided an apt demonstration: an epic winter freeze claimed the lives of dozens of people on the East Coast and in the Northern States of the U.S., grounded thousands of flights, and threatened the lives of millions.

This harrowing event drove home the reality of just how precarious winter life can be if unprepared. I distinctly remember the unease settling in as the reality of harsh winters became a bit more personal. I began to take additional precautions, always ensuring my car was equipped with a full emergency kit, regularly checking weather updates, and never underestimating a storm warning. The lesson learned was preparation is an invaluable.

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This tragic situation showed me that being stuck in your car during winter can quickly turn life-threatening. The lesson is clear: a winter car emergency kit is essential. What should go into it, and why is it so necessary?

What is a Winter Car Emergency Kit? Why Do You Need One and What Should Be in It?

A winter car emergency kit is a bag of essentials stored in your car during colder months. These items are designed to help you handle anything from minor winter hassles to dangerous situations, such as being stranded and exposed to extreme cold.

In Saskatchewan, when the temperature frequently dips 40°C below 0, there’s ample opportunity for a minor road incident to escalate. Being prepared is half the battle. What should be in your kit?

Putting Your Winter Emergency Kit Together

You can put together your winter car emergency kit yourself or purchase a ready-made one. You can use a duffel bag or larger one to store warmth and comfort items. You can find them at auto parts stores, retailers and other places. If your family decides to go the route of pre-prepared winter kits, I suggest still going through them so you know what is in them ahead of time and customize them to your family’s specific needs.

1. Vehicle Tools

These include snow shovels for digging vehicles out, snow brushes for removing accumulated snow, and ice scrapers for clearing mirrors and windshields, ensuring better visibility. Use snow shovels to clear around tires and doors. If you’re stationary with the engine running, use these tools to keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to help prevent carbon monoxide buildup, which can be dangerous inside the vehicle.

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You should also include jumper cables or a battery booster to jump-start dead batteries, an engine block heater cord plug to keep your engine warm in extreme cold, traction mats to help your tires gain grip if you get stuck, and extra windshield wiper fluid to maintain visibility.

2. Warm Clothes and Blankets for Winter Car Emergency Kit

Warm clothes and blankets are crucial for staying safe if you are stranded for a long time. Imagine your clothes are wet from snow or freezing rain, the car’s heater is no longer working and you cannot leave while you wait for help. Keep fleece garments like hoodies, sweaters, joggers, leggings and blankets in your kit. Ensure every family member has one or two sets of warm clothing, including socks, scarves and gloves or mittens.

For Families with Children and the Elderly

For families with infants or young children, consider adding extra layers, such as thermal underwear and additional blankets, since children are more susceptible to cold due to their smaller body size. Elderly family members may benefit from heated blankets or thermal wraps to provide extra warmth. Keep in mind that everyone, regardless of age, will need a hat and warm footwear to prevent heat loss.

You might also include sleeping bags, non-perishable food such as energy bars, nuts, trail mix, and cereals, water, and hand warmers. To safely store food and water in freezing temperatures, use insulated containers to prevent them from freezing. Wrapping these supplies in blankets or other insulating materials inside your vehicle can also help maintain a safe temperature. Regularly check and rotate your supplies to keep them fresh and effective.

3. Additional Supplies for your Kit

Your winter car emergency kit should also include items that aid in making you and/or the vehicle highly visible,  including flashlights and batteries, road flares, power banks, cell phones and/or chargers. Your winter car emergency kit should also include items that aid in making you and/or the vehicle highly visible,  including flashlights and batteries, road flares, power banks, cell phones and/or chargers. Your kit should also include a first aid kit and any personal or prescription medications for family members travelling.

Update your Winter Car Emergency Kits at the start of Winter

A winter kit that hasn’t been used should still be checked and updated. Make sure the items are still functional and that the food is not expired, etc. Families should always check their family winter car emergency kits at the start of winter to go into the season strong and replenish them if the need arises for items to be used.

To Wrap up… Get a winter Car Emergency Kit!

Adjusting from the tropics to the Prairies means adapting to harsh winters. With planning and a well-stocked winter car emergency kit, you turn extreme weather from a hazard to something you can manage. Take action now and make this week the time to check or assemble your kit. Ensure you and your family are prepared to stay safe and secure in the cold months ahead.

Xo, Shandean.