Make a Driving Survival Kit Before Traveling at Thanksgiving

Before you drive over the river and through the woods or anywhere else at Thanksgiving, make time to assemble a driving survival kit that can save you trouble - or even save your life. Some of these items apply to cold-weather areas, but many are relevant for driving anywhere, anytime. These recommendations come from the Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety.

Use a coffee can or similar container with a plastic lid to store the following items:

• Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter
• Large plastic garbage bag
• Pencil and paper
• Red bandanna or cloth
• Safety pins
• Small candles and matches
• Small, sharp knife and plastic spoons
• Whistle
• Plastic flashlight and spare batteries. Reverse batteries in the flashlight to avoid accidental switching and burnout. Warm batteries before using them. 

Food items: Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.

• Canned soup, meat and poultry
• Chewing gum
• Food bars
• Miniature candy bars
• Raisins in small packets
• Semi-sweet chocolate in pieces for sharing
• Water
• Wrapped hard candies

Safety Items: 
Store in the passenger compartment when severe winter weather threatens, in case the trunk becomes jammed or frozen shut.

• Basic tools
• Booster cables
• Road flares and reflectors
• Sand, cat litter or other grit in a plastic milk carton
• Shovel
• Sleeping bag or blankets
• Snowmobile suit and heavy boots
• Tow cables or chain
• 30-foot rope or cord to use as homing line if you must exit the vehicle

Winter Driving Resources:

• Read more on winter driving from the Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety.
• Download a Winter Car Survival Fact Sheet (pdf).
• Check a Consumer Reports article on safe driving tips for Thanksgiving travel.
• Browse First Aid signs and labels.