Winter Readiness!
I really don’t want winter readiness yet. I would rather be summer-ready! BUT, I live in Sandpoint Idaho, and like it or not WINTER is a comin’, and when she does, she dumps a LOT of snow on us.
Check out The Husband last year. In the MIDDLE of winter! We still had so much more snow to come.
So, when I say I take travel time in my car VERY seriously. (at least my car is BRIGHT orange so I can hopefully be spotted!)
My Winter Steps
At the beginning of winter, I make sure to fill my gas tank as soon as I’ve used a ¼ of the tank. Snow tires get put on at the latest November 1st. The fluids are checked.
Then the car is packed with 40 pounds of bagged sand. (for traction) ADDED benefit: a very slippery area needs sand? I got it! (I also tape a razor knife to the bag so I can actually GET to the sand) Then I also have a (color-coordinated) roll of orange duct tape with will keep that now open bag of sand from getting everywhere in my car. ALSO, a black marker so that if I have to tape a note to my car window I’m set. (SEE?? I try and think of everything).
My snow-ready car is now equipped with:
- Extra blankets, as well as 2 mylar thermal blankets.
- Snacks like granola bars (maybe a candy bar too)
- Bottled water
- Sturdy ice scraper and snow brush
- Shovel
- Gloves and other winter clothing
- Blanket
- Emergency flares or reflectors
- First aid kit.
- Knitting (Hear me out! I don’t want to be stuck in a snowbank board AND worried. RIGHT?? Knitting calms me down)
The newest addition to my car stash is the LightStick. This is one extremely handy addition. The SunJack LightStick comes in two sizes. The one that I keep in my car is phenomenal.
Not only is it compact in size but it’s drop proof, shatterproof and BRIGHT!!! The LightStick will last 72 hours on the low setting. 10 hours on medium. 20 hours when you use the flashing mode. Now, you might want to sit down for this one. THE LightStick can be used as a POWER BANK!!!!!!!! How BRILLIANT is THAT?!?!
The LightStick comes in a smaller 5″ size as well and with the same amazing perks.
As I was writing this post, I was multi-tasking and watching a Cricut How-To video series. (Y’all know how much I love my crafting projects) well, the iPad started flashing LOW BATTERY. Ackkkkkkkkkkkk!! The cord to recharge the iPad is on the other side of the room. THEN the lightbulb went on in my brain. MY SunJack mini LightStick is hanging to the left of my desk for emergencies. THIS WAS an emergency.
For those of you that live in an area that gets snow do you have other items you keep in your car?
SunJack’s LightStick is AWESOME! I am thoroughly impressed with these LightSticks for my car AND my craftroom.
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5 Comments
MICHAEL A LAW
Great tips. I do need to be winter ready.
heather
Winter is taking its sweet time getting here. It is in the mid to high 50’s here. I do need to get my car ready for winter. I so want that lightstick that is cool.
Terri Quick
Thank you for sharing this
Tamra Phelps
I never really feel ready for Winter. One thing I would really like to have is a generator for when the power goes out.
gloria patterson
The cord to recharge the iPad is on the other side of the room – ITS NICE TO KNOW THERE ARE OTHER LAZY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD!!! This light really does sound nice I checked they also have it on amazon.
WHEN I worked I always had a bag of cat litter in my car in case I got stuck. I also have a big bag in my trunk that has 2 blankets in it and socks and gloves………….. AND something else been a long time since I looked.
Way back when we used to have winter tires, stud tires and chains………… and then along comes all weather tires. I have not switched tires in years…………. BUT I found out last winter my niece puts snow tires on her car and she carries chains for just in case.
Of course lucky me is retired and don’t have to get off a big mountain.