Surviving a Winter Wonderland in Your Car

 Being stuck out in the middle of nowhere in the snow can be really bad for your health, as in fatal.

With the winter season almost on top of us, we thought it would be important to briefly cover a scenario many of us might actually face in our lifetimes. You know, the one where you were going to take the kids out to grandma's for the weekend for a surprise visit? Well, that right there is the problem, first of all. You shouldn't be taking surprise visits in very cold temperatures and we will explain why below. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, even in situations where you've covered your bases, you still might find yourself in a rogue snowstorm that wasn't expected. We've got your back on that one too.

First of all, what we said about surprise visits isn't entirely accurate. It's O.K. to surprise grandma as long as SOMEONE knows where you are and what you are doing, whether it's a friend or even someone at work.

Preparing for a snowstorm in your car is a lot like writing an essay for school. You want to tell someone when you are leaving, where you are going, who is with you, what you will be doing, and when you are going to be back home. A good example of this would be: Wallace and I are gonna hit the road in the morning to pick up grandma from the occupy wall street protest because due to her alzheimer's, and much like all the other Occupiers, she has forgotten her true agenda. We'll be in New York for two days and will be heading back on Monday. We are probably going to stop by Washington D.C. on the way back for a few beers and an autograph from the Taco guy on 5th and Broad and should be back in town on Tuesday. We're going to be taking the interstate up there and back.

Now that you've established the 5-W's of what we like to call "travel common sense", you can even go one step further and actually dress for the cold weather trip. This is where a lot of people screw up because they figure they will be warm enough with the heater in the car. Wrong. Even if you don't wear them, at least pack some winter clothes in your trunk along with a nice heavy blanket or sleeping bag. For all you Floridians reading this blog who have no idea that temperatures actually drop below 60 degrees in the winter, trust us - they do. You should also take head of this advice if traveling up North. Winter gear consists of boots & socks, coats, gloves, and hoodies. You also want to keep an emergency kit first aid kit in your car at all times, regardless of the season.

See? Simple enough. Also, remember that if the weather suddenly takes a nose dive before your trip, do the smart thing and just stay home. Don't try to be an interstate hero. You will thank us later for it.

Now that you know what to do before you leave, let's take a look at two simple things to remember while you are actually on the road:

1. Always(and we repeat) - always stay on the main roads. Emergency personnel will scour these routes first and foremost.

2. For the love of all things good and holy do NOT run your car engine to keep warm. It's all fun and games until the muffler gets covered by snow. Then your screwed, done for, kaput. Once the muffler gets blocked, your lungs will fill with carbon monoxide. At that point, being cold will be the least of your worries.

More on preparedness will surely follow :)

Hope you guys enjoyed the article.