What would you do if your car broke down during a snowstorm?

Topics: Emergencies and Disasters in Canada
November 02, 2012

What would you do if your car broke down during a snowstorm?

The holiday season is right around the corner and with it come distant trips to the homes of family members you may not have seen for several months. This can be a great time to reconnect with loved ones, yet returning home can be fraught with potential risks. What would you do if your car broke down in the middle of a snowstorm?

Preparing with the Canadian Red Cross
Emergencies can strike at any time, leaving people unprepared to deal with the consequences. As the country's leading nonprofit organization, the Canadian Red Cross responds to emergencies and disasters with life-saving aid and offers emergency preparedness programs that can improve the lives of those in need.

While the Canadian Red Cross provides vital services, it also recommends that Canadians take action by developing a plan for safety that could see them through the first 72 hours following an incident, as well as assembling an emergency preparedness kit and learning as much as possible about the hazards in the area.

Staying safe in your car
One of the best ways to be prepared for disasters and emergencies, especially if you're traveling in your car, is to have an emergency kit on hand in the trunk or backseat. A kit is relatively inexpensive to put together yet can make a substantial difference if you find yourself stranded during a snowstorm or other situation.

Each emergency car kit should include items like:

• An ice scraper or shovel
• Maps
• Repair equipment for your tires, including a pump
• A first aid kit
• Methyl hydrate for de-icing
• A battery operated flashlight and radio
• Extra batteries
• Warm clothing, including extra sweaters, pants, shoes and socks
• Sand or salt
• Blankets
• Booster cables
• Bottled water and nonperishable foods
• Flares

Planning ahead

When it comes to successfully overcoming the obstacles of an emergency situation, preparation is the key to tackling problems as they emerge. Before setting out for a trip, discuss the risks with your family and develop an emergency plan in case you encounter issues.

Expect the Unexpected, a booklet on emergency planning offered by the Canadian Red Cross, can be a tremendous resource as you attempt to craft the best plan for your family's needs. With the help of interactive activities, informative worksheets and a helpful glossary, you can engage your whole family in the emergency preparation process and gain substantial knowledge about the risks in your area.

As you chart your trip, pay attention to emergency shelters that may be in the area. If you have a friend who lives along the route, ask him or her if you can use them as an emergency contact in case problems arise. By providing your loved ones with the name, address, e-mail and telephone information of the emergency contact, you can facilitate their flight to safety in the event that something hazardous occurs.

Making a difference
While assembling an emergency kit and developing a plan with your family are essential for ensuring the health and safety of your loved ones, you can help make a difference in someone else's life by taking a First Aid and CPR course, which will give you the skills to respond to emergency situations.

You can also make a positive impact by showing support for the Canadian Red Cross, which helps thousands of Canadians each year recover from emergencies and disaster. To donate, please visit online or contact your local Red Cross today!

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