We all wish we had ultra-handy skills like MacGyver, right? Right.
But let’s face it – we don’t.
We cannot fashion a flashlight out of a pop bottle. Nor can we craft winter gloves out of the fluff between the seats.
It’s just not going to happen.
But an emergency on the road might happen, and you don’t want to be stuck in the cold wishing you had packed a winter emergency kit.
It doesn’t take much effort. In fact, you probably already have many emergency kit items around the house. To show how easy it is to be prepared, we put together this 15-second video showing some of the most useful items you’ll want to include.
So please, turn off MacGyver, turn on the video, and be ready to handle the unexpected.
Do you have any questions or comments about this, or anything else we do at the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure? Let us know in the comments below.
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Need shovel…especially in the North
Thanks for the message – your point is noted!
I always include a short handle light weigh shovel & W40. The W40 is to spray on the shovel so it is easier to shovel heavy wet snow.
There is always a blanket in the car no matter what time of the year it is.
Alcohol sprayed on car door locks, will unfreeze them and keep them from freezing.
Great points Carol! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Way to fast! I couldn’t see the 2nd or 3rd items, had to watch it 4 times to see the items. I know it is only 15 seconds. IMHO, poorly presented. And to think us taxpayers pay for this!
Sorry to hear you didn’t like the presentation or the timeline on this video. Our goal is to create useful content for the travelling public in a variety of ways. We made these videos under the 15 second mark so they could easily be shared on a variety of social media platforms, such as instagram and facebook. We will look at other ways to make sure all items are clearly visible in the future. Hope that this helps.
You could always write the full list in the comments..
Great idea!
Here’s a basic list to get you started:
Cell phone and charger
First aid kit
Kitty litter
Extra clothing
Candles, matches
Food, water
Extra fluids for your car
Scraper
Flashlight
Multi-use tool
Of course, if you can think of other things to keep on hand and you have the space, it pays to be prepared!
Kitty liter should NOT be the clumping kind. This turns into grease when wet. Ans sticks like the proverbial “s**t to a balanket”
Truth. Thanks for clarifying Del. 🙂
My suggestion is to keep the emergency kit in the back seat, buckled in. So if you go off the road, you can reach the kit rather than having to struggle of of the car to get into the trunk.
A great tip – thanks for sharing Lindley!
I have one of those handy ‘all in one’ emergency escape tools in the pocket of the driver’s door.
Kitty litter can also be used to absorb any spills – gas, oil, brake/transmission/windshield fluid.
Great point! Thanks for sharing.
No audio on the PC I’m at but I sure hope all the references to Kitty Litter make mention of what kind, do NOT use clumping stuff! The non clumping classic cheap stuff works best, clumping Kitty Litter will be as useless as a plastic sheet on snow and ice once it clumps up.
I see you saw someone using it. Then trying to get it off their gloves, boots, etc.
Can you expand on the uses for kitty litter in a vehicle emergency kit?
Hi Graeme,
Good question. Kitty litter can be handy for a couple of reasons:
1. It’ll add more weight to improve your traction when driving, and
2. You can spread it on the ground to help your vehicle get traction on snow/ice. – See more at: http://tranbc.ca/2012/12/18/an-emergency-kit-show-and-tell-to-help-shift-into-winter/#sthash.BAwq0f1E.dpuf