What do I need in my winter survival car kit ?

Winter travel especially by passenger car, is serious business.You should always carry a winter survival car kit just in case.Your winter survival car kit can be as extensive as you want,but you should include those items which would allow you to survive 12-24 hours without the benefit of a car heater.The following list contains the basic items for the survival kit and can be updated for your needs averytime you have to travel by car in the cold season.

Cell phone
One sleeping bag /person or more blankets
Three-pound coffee can (can be used as container to heat water if needed) and a penny stove that runs on alcohol.The penny stove it’s light, small and very easy to make. Don’t forget the alcohol for fuel.
Matches and candles (a blanket over your head,body heat and the heat from a single candle can prevent freezing).
Flashlight and extra batteries (can be used for signaling for help in the dark).
Winter clothing
First-aid kit
High-energy foods (candy,nuts, sugar cubes,packaged condensed soups,no perishables)
Small sack of sand or kitty litter, which can help you when you have no traction
Shovel
Basic tool kit
Paper towel or toilet tissue (great as tinder too)
Axe or saw
Spare tire
Wire and rope,which have a multitude of uses
Starter fluid,extra oil,battery booster
Signaling devices,such as railroad flares,distress flag

Kit tips:

Reverse batteries in flashlight to avoid accidental switching and burnout.
Store items in the passenger compartment in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut.
Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.
911 tips:

If possible, call 911 on your cell phone. Provide your location, condition of everyone in the vehicle and the problem you’re experiencing.
Follow instructions: you may be told to stay where you are until help arrives.
Do not hang up until you know who you have spoken with and what will happen next.
If you must leave the vehicle, write down your name, address, phone number and destination. Place the piece of paper inside the front windshield for someone to see.
Survival tips:

Prepare your vehicle: Make sure you keep your gas tank at least half full.
Be easy to find: Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take.
If stuck: Tie a florescent flag (from your kit) on your antenna or hang it out the window. At night, keep your dome light on. Rescue crews can see a small glow at a distance. To reduce battery drain, use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles. If you’re with someone else, make sure at least one person is awake and keeping watch for help at all times.
Stay in your vehicle: Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You might become lost or exhausted. Your vehicle is a good shelter.
Avoid Overexertion: Shoveling snow or pushing your car takes a lot of effort in storm conditions. Don’t risk a heart attack or injury. That work can also make you hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation value, making you susceptible to hypothermia.
Fresh Air: It’s better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Snow can plug your vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car. Only run the engine for 10 minutes an hour and make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow. Keeping a window open a crack while running the engine is also a good idea.
Don’t expect to be comfortable: You want to survive until you’re found.

Everyone should carry a Winter Survival Kit in their car. In an emergency, it could save your life and the lives of your passengers.

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Stay safe,

James