CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Getting a flat tire, running out of gas, sliding into a snowbank or other problem can leave you in a dangerous situation during a snowstorm. Sure, you can call for help quickly on your cell phone (provided it's charged), but you might have to wait hours for help to arrive.
You won't have to endure an uncomfortable wait for help to arrive if you have a roadside emergency kit in your car that will get you back on the road sooner.
Here are some lists and tips about car safety kits, and what you should know if you're stranded in your car. Click on the links to learn more.
The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website offers a list of supplies for a winter emergency kit for cars. It includes blankets or sleeping bags, flashlight, jumper cables, emergency flares and a shovel.
Kit tips:
Store items in the passenger compartment in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut, according to Ready Wisconsin.
Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.
Survival tips:
Make sure you keep your gas tank at least half full.
Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take.
Tie a fluorescent flag (from your kit) on your antenna or hang it out the window. At night, keep your dome light on. Rescue crews can see a small glow at a distance. To reduce battery drain, use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles. If you're with someone else, make sure at least one person is awake and keeping watch for help at all times.
Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You might become lost or exhausted. Your vehicle is a good shelter.
Shoveling snow or pushing your car takes a lot of effort in storm conditions. Don't risk a heart attack or injury. That work can also make you hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation value, making you susceptible to hypothermia.
It's better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Snow can plug your vehicle's exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car. Only run the engine for 10 minutes an hour and make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow. Keeping a window open a crack while running the engine is also a good idea.
The Old Farmer's Almanac: The following list of supplies kept in your emergency car kit will serve you well if an adverse situation arises in your automobile.
Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
Blanket
Booster cables
Bottled water and nonperishable high-energy foods such as granola bars, raisins, and peanut butter
Fire extinguisher (5-lb., A-B-C type)
First-aid kit and manual
Maps, shovel, flares
Tire repair kit and pump
Spare tire
For winter driving:
A snowbrush and ice scraper
A bag of sand to help with traction
Extra windshield fluid
A blanket, just in case
Old winter boots and clothes for the trunk
Winter driving tips:
Keep your gas tank filled above halfway to avoid emergencies in bad weather.
Stuck on the ice without sand or cat litter? In a pinch, you can take the mats out of your car, place them next to the tires, and slowly inch the car onto and across the mats.
To restore proper windshield wiper blade action, smooth the rubber blades with fine sandpaper to remove any grit and pits.
Gently rub a small, moistened, cloth bag of iodized salt on the outside of your windshield to prevent the ice and snow from sticking.
Fog-proof your mirrors and the inside of your windshields with shaving cream. Spray & wipe if off with paper towels.
Avoid driving when you have the flu, which can reduce your reaction time almost six times as much as moderate alcohol intake.
About.com: You can purchase a pre-made car weather safety kit or build your own. Even if you decide to purchase a kit, be sure you are familiar with the contents. Learn to use all of the supplies in the kit. When you are freezing cold, and possibly wet, you will NOT want to look at the directions on a bottle.
Lifehacker: To be stuck in your car for a day -- it's a rarity to be in such a situation -- but the cost of being prepared versus the cost of being unprepared makes it worthwhile to have the right supplies.