Parts of Nebraska already saw their first snowfall in late October which can only mean one thing; winter is coming faster than we expected! Driving in colder climates means being prepared for whatever might come your way: ice, heavy snow or even an unanticipated truck breakdown that has you outside for long periods of time. Winter might be more stressful to drive in but if you have include these items in your Winter Preparedness Toolkit, it will help put you at ease.
Extra Warm Clothing
While driving in your truck might be climate controlled, you always want to have plenty of extra layers on hand, just in case you need to spend significant time outside in colder climates. Clothing to consider bringing would be extra flannels or long bottom downs, gloves, hats, coats (water resistant and at least one for extreme temperatures) and extra socks. Remember that temperatures drop significantly after sundown so check the nighttime low temperatures.
Windshield Scraper
Even if you don’t live in colder climates, it’s always good practice to carry one with you at all times. In the Midwest especially, weather can change in a matter of hours so having one handy is always helpful. You can choose the classic plastic scrapers or even go more high tech with heated ice scrapers or ones with lights attached for night driving.
Bag of Sand, Salt or Kitty Litter
You might have heard of having a bag of sand or salt at the ready to offer more traction when you’re stuck on a patch of ice, but the kitty litter might sound like an odd addition. However, it works just as good as sand and you can find it more conveniently. It is a good idea to carry salt, and then either sand or kitty litter because the salt works differently from these two; it can actually help melt the ice.
First Aid Kit
In case of an on-road emergency, you will always want to carry the basic necessities in a first aid kit. This can include band-aids in various sizes, gauze, disinfectant, wet wipes, surgical tape, cold compress, heating pads, scissors, tweezers and extra water. You can buy a pre-packed kit fairly inexpensively but if the kit does not include water, make sure to store extra water bottles in your truck. In an emergency, the water can be used for hydration, to wash out wounds or to melt snow in a pinch.
All of these you can purchase or pack in advance and just keep in your truck at all times. You never know when you’ll need to be prepared for winter weather! What would you add to this list? What are your winter driving must-haves?