Winter Storm Travel Kit: CAA Safety Experts Share the Must-Have Items Drivers Often Forget
Since driving is an essential part of many people's daily lives, they mostly experience arriving at their destination safely. As a result, it can be very easy for people to take the idea that nothing will go wrong when they travel for granted. That can even be true when people are traveling during winter conditions, which makes the likelihood of something going awry increase significantly.
Since many people assume their winter travels will remain safe, they don't prepare for the possibility that things can go wrong in several different ways. However, the travel experts who work for the CAA have provided people with a list of items that can help make driving in winter conditions safer for everyone involved.
The CAA Advises Winter Travelers To Make and Carry This Safety Kit in Their Vehicle
REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk
There are valid reasons why people around the world recognize how brutal Canadian winters can be. Many regions of the country are hit by enough snow during the winter months that learning to cope with slippery and dangerous conditions is a way of life for citizens. As a result, when the Canadian Automobile Association issues its recommendations for what to put into a winter travel safety kit, it makes sense to listen to their experts.
On the CAA's website, the company suggests that winter travelers build a 19-piece "emergency kit" to carry in their vehicles to keep them safe if something goes wrong. After reading the list below, it is easy to see how the company's recommendations could help to save drivers from staying stuck or those who find themselves in a variety of winter travel-related dangers. The list below is taken directly from the CAA's website.
- Flashlight (preferably crank-type, because batteries don’t last long in extreme cold)
- Reflective safety triangles or flares
- Small first-aid kit
- Snow brush and scraper
- Traction aids
- Small shovel with long handle
- Bag of abrasive material: sand, kitty litter (avoid road salt, which can cause your vehicle to rust)
- Plenty of windshield washer fluid
- Booster cables
- Gas-line antifreeze
- Lock de-icer (in extreme cold, keep it with you, rather than in your vehicle!)
- Paper towels
- Small tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, etc.)
- Extra fuses (for the vehicle’s electrical system)
- Warm blanket
- Extra socks, boots and gloves
- Hand and foot warmers
- Bottles of water
- Granola bars
Why Winter Travelers Should Take the CAA’s Safety Kit Advice Seriously
Since the Canadian Automobile Association is mostly known inside of Canada, international travelers may not know if they should trust that company's winter travel advice. As a result, it is important to note why the CAA is a credible source of information about how to travel safely in the winter. Founded in 1913, the CAA provides roadside assistance to the not-for-profit company's more than 7 million members, especially during inclement weather conditions. The CAA's official website describes its mission, reputation, and what it does in the following way.
"The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is one of the largest and oldest consumer-based organizations in Canada. We provide peace of mind to over 7 million Members through eight not-for-profit Clubs and over 100 offices located across the country. CAA was founded in 1913 as an advocacy organization. Today, we continue to act as a voice for the travelling public. We’re proud to have been named one of Canada’s most trusted brands several years in a row. Collectively, CAA National and our eight Clubs make sure the voices of Canadians are heard on topics including road safety, new vehicle technologies, the environment, mobility, and consumer rights. CAA Clubs provide access to innovative and reliable services, including exceptional Emergency Roadside Service, complete Travel Services, Member Savings and comprehensive insurance offerings."