Preppers sometimes get scoffed at, but preparedness is no joke, and it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Just as you have some just-in-case items in your home, you should have some emergency items in your vehicle, as you never know what situation you might find yourself in. A few basic pieces of gear can keep you ready for the most common situations.
Years ago, my Southern state (where it seldom snows) experienced a freak snowstorm in the middle of the workday. Kids were stranded at school, adults were stranded at work, motorists abandoned their vehicles on the highway and walked to hotels or the nearest building of any kind. We all slept where we were stuck, which for me was the office and, fortunately, my boss’s house that was within walking distance. All I had was what I kept in my office and my car. The trouble was, I had worn my usual slick-bottomed cowboy boots to work that day, which make for horrible snow shoes. The only thing worse would have been ballet flats or high heels. I desperately wished I had a change of shoes and a more comfy shirt to sleep in. That got me thinking: What if I’d been one of the motorists sleeping in my car or stuck walking miles to shelter? Ever since, I’ve kept a blanket, a pair of sneakers and a clean pair of socks in the trunk.
If you’re ever faced with a similar weather emergency, an injury, a breakdown in the middle of nowhere, or a zombie apocalypse in which you need a get-home bag (just kidding, at least about the zombies), the following items can come in really handy. Pick and choose off the list based on your particular situation and what kind of weather you experience and where you might find yourself driving.
Phone charger. Most of us keep this in our car or our purse already, but getting enough juice to stay in touch is vitally important. Bonus points if your phone lets you text via satellite when you’re out of cell range (which I am frequently, and my phone does).
A change of clothes, or at least shoes. A sweatshirt, socks and sensible walking shoes or boots can make a huge difference if you break down and must walk to town in your dress shoes.
A source of warmth, or three. If you must stay with your broken-down car in the winter, a blanket, an extra layer (like that sweatshirt) and even a candle in a glass jar can provide extra warmth. The candle is a last resort, because it sucks up oxygen and produces carbon monoxide, which you don’t want in an enclosed space. If you do have to burn it, crack a window.
A first-aid kid. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate one, but if you are putting together a get-home bag, you might be grateful for some alcohol wipes, bandages, ibuprofen, blister bandages, etc.
Jumper cables or battery jumper and Fix-a-Flat. If you have some basic knowledge and the right equipment, you can fix some of the more minor car problems that might leave you stranded. Remember, Fix-a-Flat goes bad every few years, so replace it on a regular schedule.
Water and snacks. We’ve all read that keeping plastic water bottles in your car isn’t a great idea for drinking water, but I do keep a few rolling around for an emergency in case I drink up all the fresh water I’ve brought in my giant tumbler. They’re also handy if the car were to overheat. As for snacks, I generally keep them in my purse so I’ve always got a source of calories in case of emergency (or, let’s be honest, boredom).
Snow-appropriate gear. A small shovel, kitty litter or other items that are useful for getting unstuck from a snowbank can be helpful.
A flashlight. If yours is the USB-rechargable kind, be sure to recharge it every three to six months whether you’ve used it or not.
For road trips especially: Paper maps and a compass, believe it or not, in case you must navigate your way home on foot in an emergency. If you get stuck in a riot or a zombie apocalypse and you must abandon your car and get home to your family, your cell might not work or might not stay charged for long.
A raincoat or poncho, which will be a lot handier than an umbrella if you must walk any distance in the rain. A ball cap or a sun hat wouldn’t hurt, either.
Sturdy rope, duct tape, a lighter and a knife. Because they all come in handy in ways you haven’t thought of yet.
Gloves. Handy for warmth but also to keep your hands from getting scraped up and dirty if you have to work on the car.
Toilet paper and/or baby wipes. Duh.
If you’re serious about putting together a get-home bag in the event you have to undertake a multi-day trek home on foot, you could add some MREs, extra water or a wilderness water filter, a multi-tool, an emergency blanket, more extra socks, binoculars, a beefier, trauma-oriented first-aid kit, a bandana and/or an N95 mask, sunscreen, and a shelter option such as a small tarp or tent. And put it all in a pack you can actually, realistically, somewhat comfortably carry for miles. That’s probably not a cheap book-bag-style backpack but more of a hiking pack that’s designed for rucking.
Now, that’s a lot of stuff—if you carried everything on this list, it could easily take up most of your trunk space. You’ll have to pick and choose what you keep in there based on your situation, and you might add some items based on your family’s needs (diapers? Spare reading glasses? A walking stick or cane for Grandma?) and your car (my just-trying-to-survive-college beater burned oil like crazy, so I always kept a quart handy). I would consider the water, flashlight, phone charger, first-aid kit and shoes/socks non-negotiables at a minimum, but whatever you decide, I bet you’ll eventually be grateful you took some time to address your preparedness on the road.
