Winter first-aid for the roadside

Emergency kit for your car
Are you prepared for a breakdown? Your cell phone is a great asset, but what if your phone goes dead or you're in an area with no service? What if inclement weather prevents emergency road vehicles from getting to you quickly? Cover as many bases as you can by equipping your vehicle with this checklist:
• Shovel
• Traction mats
• Compass
• Warning light or road flares
• Booster cables
• Road maps
• Sand, salt or kitty litter - sprinkled under the wheels to give your car extra traction
• Tow chain
• Cloth or roll of paper towels
• Axe or hatchet
• Ice scraper and brush
• Fire extinguisher
• Methyl hydrate (for fuel line and windshield de-icing)
• Weather Radio

Emergency kit for you
Stranded? Use this checklist to help you settle in to wait for help to arrive:
• Blankets
• Extra gloves or mittens
• Scarf
• Emergency food pack - include high energy snacks and bottled water
• Matches and a "survival" candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light)
• Sterile gauze
• Nonstick dressings
• Adhesive bandages
• Tape to secure dressings
• 2-3 triangular bandages
• tweezers
• first aid manual
• safety pins
• packaged alcohol
• wipes
• instant cold packs
• reflective rescue blanket

Skin and extremities can freeze quickly when exposed. If possible, stay inside your car, protected from the elements, until help arrives.