WCS already Assembled Blizzard Bucket : A winter travel survival kit

Each year, hundreds of Wisconsinites find themselves stranded on the roadside.
Winter weather can kill an unprepared person who is exposed to the elements within minutes.

Safe Behavior

• Assemble winter survival kits for all of your vehicles. Keep them in the vehicles all winter so they'll be easy to get to if you need them.

The kit should include:

• Three-pound coffee can, candle stubs and matches, which can be used to melt snow for additional drinking water
• Metal cup
• Red bandanna and a plastic whistle to alert rescuers to your location
• Pencil and paper, and quarters for phone calls
• First aid kit, including any essential medications
• Plastic flashlight with spare batteries (reverse the batteries to avoid accidental switching and burnout, and replace batteries yearly)
• Some other items that you could carry include extra gloves, mittens, boots, a snowmobile suit, a blanket and/or sleeping bag, jumper cables, a basic toolbox, a shovel, a bag of sand or other grit for traction, tow cable or chain, road flares and reflectors.
• Two large plastic garbage bags, safety pins (bags are for insulation for feet, safety pins keep the bags together)
• Snack foods for energy, such as candy bars.
• Some other items that you could carry include extra gloves, mittens, boots, a snowmobile suit, a blanket and/or sleeping bag, jumper cables, a basic toolbox, a shovel, a bag of sand or other grit for traction, tow cable or chain, road flares and reflectors.
• Call ahead to your destination and let people know when you intend to leave, what travel route you will take, and your expected time of arrival.
• If you are stranded, never leave your vehicle. Your chances of survival greatly increase if you stay put.
• Consider carrying a cell phone for use during emergencies. Find a safe place to pull off the road when you need to make a call.

Survival Kits

A survival kit can be pocket-size or considerably larger, depending upon the needs of each individual or situation.

We recommend maintaining a survival kit in each of these places:

· One survival kit for each outdoor sportsperson (camper, hiker, hunter, skier, etc...)
· One survival kit for each motor vehicle
· One survival kit for each household

Here is a list of suggested items that should be included in a basic survival kit:

· Matches (Waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof container)
· High-energy snack
· Pocket knife
· Whistle (LOUD)
· Compass
· Reflector or hand mirror (for signaling)
· Insect repellent
· Bandage strips
· Tube of antibiotic ointment
· Lightweight space blanket
· Brightly colored (orange or yellow) plastic garbage bag

A motor vehicle survival kit should add these items:

· Enough sleeping bags or blankets for everyone in the vehicle
· Warm clothing
· A basic first-aid kit
· A reasonable supply of emergency water
· A reasonable supply of emergency food
· A flashlight with fresh batteries
· Candles and matches
· A shovel
· A saw or an axe
· A basic automotive tool kit
· Jumper cables

A home survival kit should add these items:

· A larger supply of food which can be eaten without the need for heat or electricity
· A larger supply of drinkable water
· A fully equipped first-aid kit
· At least two flashlights and maintain a supply of fresh batteries
· A supply of candles and matches
· A fire extinguisher
· A good supply of other necessities, such as prescription medicines
· If possible, a secondary heat source, such as a wood stove or a kerosene heater -- along with a good fuel supply