Its time to get those winter bags ready

[cambourne7]

Hi Guys,

Yes its that time of the year again when you need to pop into your car a winter pack so that if the weather turns nasty you are prepared.

I will be putting my winter bag in my car and hubbies car on the 1st Dec as usual. Although i am only doing short trips at the moment its good to know i dont have to think about being prepared if i do get stuck further afield. ( Been snowed in at office twice so i am a bit paranoid about this ). I keep the bag in the car till the 1st March :) I try and use Old but servicable stuff to make the bags.

Old Laptop Bags will contain

- Bottle of water (1litre)
- Empty Bottle
- Box of Tisues and small personal hygine kit inc throwaway toothbrush etc
- Torch
- Book (one you never have time to read)
- Paper, Pen, small bit of bluetack ( to leave messages if you have to leave car)
- High Energy Food Bar, Chocolate, nuts, boiled sweets
- Some small cartons of fruit juice
- Blanket
- Mini First Aid Kit inc space blanket (usualy in car anyway)
- Change of socks, spare shoes, old warm jumper, (in case of hubbie who wears suit i also inc waterproof trousers to change into if his clothes get wet).
- If i can find them cheap enough i also inc 2 cans of coffee that heat themselves to warm you up if you run out of petrol.

To the annoyance of hubbie I also give him a small bag to leave in his office drawer, which he will probably never have to use but which has the following in

- 2 cans soup (ready to eat)
- Some Sachets of Jacobs Crackers
- Sachet of Instant Milk enough to make 1pt
- Individual serving of shreaded wheat
- £3 in 20p peices for various machines in office for nibbles

Hes drawn the line at putting a shovel into his car so in addition to the items above i have a shovel in mine.

We both usualy carry spare oil, antifreeze Neat, ice scrapers and try and keep the cars above 1/2 a tank.

Do you prepare a simular bag???

Cambourne7

[cambourne7]

[saddad]

I have an "emergency bag" in the car but not for the weather...  :-[

[cambourne7]

got a baby comming?

[star]

Thanks Cam, its something I mean to do every year but never do. Best get myself sorted then :-[

[Lauren S]

Where I use to live, it was compulsory to carry a winter survival kit. Police could *Spot Check* you at any time to inspect.
Can I also suggest a can or large jar and some candles to fit inside. You would be surprised how a small candle can warm up the inside of the car.
Hat and gloves
Piece of coloured material to tie to your aeriel, heaven forbid there is a snowstorm and your car gets buried.
If you are making a trip in winter...DO tell someone your destination and expected ETA.
Make sure your mobile battery is topped up.  :)

[Lauren S]

Oh I forgot to mention DON'T use hot or warm water to clear your windscreen. If you have to it's better to use cold.

[RosieMcPosie]

i'm the same as you Star!
now i have no excuse... i guess most of the work has been done for me now that i have a check list!
thank you for caring Cam  :)

[Amazin]

My son put a winter bag in his car... took me a week to get out of the boot.

;D

[cambourne7]

thanks Lauren S, but i would be frightened to fall asleep with the candle knock it over and set fire to things.

Glad you all appreciate my over worrying :) and i am not alone  ;D

[star]

Spot checks........Compulsory? Gosh where was that?

Actually it is a good idea, too many travel unprepared including Rosie and me by the sound of it.

My hubbly got stranded a couple of years ago on the M11 for 10 or so hours, he was one of the lucky ones being a HGV driver, he had his kettle, provisions and night heater. So many folk didnt even have water, I should have learned from that really. :-[