What to Include in a Car First Aid Kit for a Winter Getaway
Sometimes in the dead of winter you just want to get away! Road trips are a fun option to go see family for the holiday, head to the mountains for a skiing expedition, or retreat to a quiet log cabin to curl up by a fire and read a book. But before you go, consider the drive and pack along a car first aid kit! If you were to ever get stuck in the snow, having these pre-packed emergency tools could be just the thing to save your life. If you are heading out for a winter getaway and are far from help (even for just a moment!), here is what you need to include in your car first aid kit!
1. Basic First Aid Kit
While traveling, it is important to consider that anything can happen and to air on the side of ‘over-safe’. When heading out for your winter getaway, having the essential and basic first aid items is smart. These items are significant to have if any accidents occurred on your travels. If you choose to make your own first aid kit, be sure to include:
- Bandages
- Gloves
- Scissors
- Gauze (Variety of sizes)
- Tweezers
- Safety Pins
- Medications (Antiseptic Cream, Ibuprofen, etc.)
- Cleansing Wipes
- Tape
- Bottled Water
First Edition First Aid has an Essential First Aid Kit that is equipped with everything you need for a medical emergency!
2. AED – Automated External Defibrillator
Winter getaways often take you far from home and out onto the wide-open road. Using highway roads also means that you are distant from towns and cities. When help is far away, be prepared for any emergency and pack along an AED. Simply having an AED in the car can act as a precaution for heart-related emergencies (cardiac arrest, heart attack, etc.). Even if your car passengers are fine, you never know if you will come across someone on the road who will require the use of a defibrillator. Having access to an AED will double someone’s chances of survival!
The Philips In-Home AED is a defibrillator that is easy to use, compact, and simple – anyone can operate it. Bring this AED along on your winter getaways and then store it at home when the vacation is over. If you are looking for an AED that is ideal for rugged work trucks, on-site job locations, and other mobile workspaces, then the FRx AED is the better option. Purchase your AED before you hit the road, and stay prepared!
3. Thermal Blankets
Thermal blankets should always be brought along when going on a winter getaway. If your car was ever to break down or the heat stopped working, you need to access warmth. Bringing along thermal blankets will ensure that if you are left stranded on the side of the road for a few hours waiting for a tow truck, that you can keep the cold out longer. Depending on how many people are coming on the trip, always pack one thermal blanket per person to ensure everyone is protected from the cold!
4. Shovel
It has happened before, as you are trying to leave a parking space, your tires start to spin and your car becomes stuck. Having a shovel packed in your car first aid kit will provide you with a way to dig yourself out. This can be especially helpful if you become stuck, stranded, or need to assist someone if the snow starts to pile up. Sudden snowstorms are common across Canada in the winter months, so having a shovel will prepare you for any snow-related issues!
5. Roadside Emergency Essentials
If your car does become stalled or you need to assist someone on the side of the road, it is imperative that you do it safely! Pack along roadside emergency essentials in your car first aid kit. This will help to bring awareness to your presence on the side of the road, and keep you safe. Bring with you:
- Pylons
- Reflective Gear (to be seen at night)
- Flashlight
- Roadmaps (necessary in cases where electronics die or are unable to be charged)
- Tow Rope
- Warning Light or Road Flare
- Jumper Cables
Keep these in your trunk any time you head out on your trip to guarantee you are prepared for anything!
6. Non-Perishable Food
Tow trucks can take a while to arrive, especially if you are in the middle of no-where on a highway. Along with warmth, you will also want food. Be properly equipped and pack along some non-perishable food items that can be used in emergencies. Energy bars, granola bars, dried fruit, trail mix, or anything with high protein that will give you energy and sate your appetite for the time being. Be sure to pack along enough for everyone!
7. Warm Clothing
Although you may have your suitcase packed along in the car, do you have enough clothes to keep you warm in the cold? The fact is that sometimes when cars break down you are stuck without heat. Staying warm in this time frame is crucial to prevent hypothermia or frostbite. Pack along gloves, mitts, scarves, parkas, warm socks, winter boots, etc. Who knows? You may just have to push someone else’s car out of the ditch and will be thankful to have your gear keeping you warm!
Pack these items in your car first aid kit and be prepared for any winter getaway emergency. We truly hope that none of these items will never need to be used, but having them with you could be just the thing to save a life! Stay safe this winter!
New to winter driving and a bit nervous? Update your skills and prepare your mindset to tackle the hazards that go hand-in-hand with driving through the snow and ice! With the Winter Driving Fundamentals online course, you will learn about traction and control, common hazards, and the 3 things you can do to be safe!
Preparedness is key! That is why there are certain spots and locations that you NEED to have a first aid kit at the ready! Where are these places? Here is where you need to have a first aid kit – can you proudly say you have one in every spot?
