Have a winter car kit handy

A kit with essential items can help keep you warm while stranded, so make sure your vehicle is packed with these things before you hit the road: You’ll want to keep these items in a clear, plastic container so it’s easy to locate everything. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), your winter kit should be stored in an accessible place — such as a back seat or passenger compartment — in case the trunk gets jammed or frozen shut.

Take precautions before driving

Snow and ice mean ripe conditions for accidents to happen: Cars have less traction, batteries break down and visibility is reduced. The first thing to consider is whether it’s safe to be on the road — that is, check for weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. You can also sign up for your area’s warning system . If you must drive, here are some suggestions from the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

You’re stuck in the snow. Now what?

Say you decided to drive and the weather left you stranded. The first thing to do is avoid panicking. The Minnesota HSEM advises people to “keep cool” and contact the authorities to let them know where you’re stuck. A 911 call should do the trick, but many areas have numbers for driver problems, such as Virginia’s 1-800-FOR-ROAD. While you’re waiting, treat your car as your shelter. It will not only keep you warm but it also makes it easier for rescuers to locate you — so try to stay inside. If you try to dig out your vehicle, don’t overexert yourself (it can trigger a heart attack, according to FEMA and AAA ). The next thing to do is to be visible for other vehicles and rescuers. Here’s where those whistles, bandannas and flares come in. Tie a bright cloth — preferably red — to your antenna or door. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. After the snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate that you need help. Clear the exhaust pipe from any snow, ice or mud to prevent potentially deadly carbon monoxide poisoning while the engine is running. You can also open the window a little for fresh air. The key in this situation is to conserve fuel as much as possible — you should only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill.

Keep warm inside the car

You’re only supposed to run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes each hour, according to FEMA. So how do you prevent hypothermia when the weather is frigid?

clockThis article was published more than 2 years ago

These winter essentials can help if your car gets stuck in the snow

By María Luisa Paúl

Updated January 4, 2022 at 10:47 p.m. EST|Published January 4, 2022 at 10:10 p.m. EST

Vehicles are seen in a still image from video as authorities worked to reopen an icy stretch of Interstate 95 closed after a storm blanketed the region in snow a day earlier, near Garrisonville, Va., on Jan. 4. (ABC/WJLA/Reuters)

A winter storm on Monday dumped the most snow across the Washington region since January 2019 — giving rise to a marathon nightmare of fuel rationing, hunger and sleep deprivation for the hundreds of people who got stuck on Interstate 95 in Virginia.

Jackknifed tractor-trailers and car collisions brought traffic to a standstill for over 24 hours in an area where such harsh winter weather is uncommon. Many were unprepared for the situation and wondering how to keep warm and conserve fuel — but you don’t have to be if it happens to you.