How to survive being snowbound on the roadway

Seen above is a collection of items that could be put in an emergency vehicle kit. Experts recommend motorists carry the kits in case of they would become stranded on winter roadways. [Click to enlarge]

Pack an emergency car kit before setting out on treacherous snow covered roads.

"Do your planning. If you were delayed or had trouble, think of what you might need," said Gary Junge, Plymouth County emergency management coordinator.

Vehicle emergency kits should include items like blankets or coats and coveralls, wide-based candles, a flashlight with extra batteries, snacks like candy bars, dried fruits or energy bars, water to drink, waterproof matches, first aid items and tools such as a collapsible shovel and a multi-purpose knife.

Junge also recommends having a small warning light like a flashing LED light and a brightly colored cloth to hang from the antenna.

"Especially if there is low visibility, any lighting or flashing you can get gives you more visibility," he said. "That's a sign that you do need help too."

Another necessity when traveling in wintery weather is having a cell phone, Junge said.

"If you have a cell phone start making calls," he said. "First try law enforcement so they can notify the right people and start giving you the assistance."

Cell phones' global positioning systems can also lead rescuers to trapped motorists, which is why it's generally safer to stay with the vehicle.

"If you are in severe weather, that's your only protection," Junge said. "It's dangerous leaving in a blizzard. The chance of getting disoriented and lost is increased."

Advance planning should also involve making contact with people on the other end of the trip so they can have an estimated arrival time, Junge said.

"If someone hasn't heard from you, they can check your route," he said. "They could start making a call to law enforcement and emergency services."

If you do become trapped in your vehicle, you can run the engine after being sure the tailpipe is clear of ice and snow, cracking the window for ventilation and putting on the vehicle's flashers and lights, Junge said.

While in the vehicle, he advised people to do activities to stay awake and avoid the threat of hypothermia.

"Do exercises in the vehicles that include stretching, whatever your abilities are to move in the vehicle," Junge said. "Anything that helps your circulation."

Although trapped motorists should keep in regular contact with someone, they should not continuously tie up the phone line so that emergency workers can get through, he added.

Planning ahead, Junge said, is the key to avoiding dangerous situations with vehicles sliding into snow covered ditches or becoming stuck in blizzard conditions on icy roads.

"Get your information on the weather and the roads, and make the decision is the trip necessary, can it be delayed," Junge said. "If you are traveling a long distance, you need to get updates (on road and weather conditions) because things can change so fast over distances."

While that will help keep drivers safe, if you should be stranded on the roadside having an emergency kit in your vehicle could mean the difference between life and death.

Ready-made kits can be purchased at stores or custom made.

"Keep the box in your vehicle," Junge said. "When it's not needed, store it in the garage or something. Put new batteries in as the season coming up."

He also suggested putting a small blanket into the vehicles in case drivers approach another motorist needing help.

"We want everyone to try to be as safe as they can be at all times," Junge said.