Travel Safely:
Keep Emergency Items in Your Car

Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

Winter Driving Safety

Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must...
• Carry a disaster supplies kit in the trunk (see below)
• Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• Have a shovel, cat litter and blanket(s)
• Pack an extra change of warm clothes; extra hat, mittens, boots

If You Do Get Stuck...
• Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car.
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

Items to include in your emergency supplies kit:
• First aid kit (many varieties available at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross)
• Road hazard kit with reflective triangle, flashlight, light stick, screwdriver, rescue blanket, pocket hand warmer, work gloves, first aid packet (available at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross).
• Essential medications – both prescription and nonprescription
• Battery-powered NOAA weather radio; or short-wave, NOAA, AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with Flashlight, and Cell-Phone Charger (portable with crank) (available at www.redcrossstore.org)
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Non-refrigerated, nonperishable food items such as energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, trail mix; flip-top cans of fruit or meat.
• Bottled water (in plastic, not metal or glass)
• Sanitary and toiletry products; wet wipes; antibacterial soap
• Plastic bags
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat.
• Children’s activity items such as coloring books, crayons, stuffed animals.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 23,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.