Staying safe in your car in winter

By Erin Tucker

​Yikes, it’s cold here in Iowa! CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said it's the coldest weather the Midwest has experienced in a generation, and . . . wait for it . . . in his words, "the worst is yet to come." 

The extreme cold sweeping down from Canada is expected to drop temperatures to a record 20 to 40 below — colder than some places in Antarctica; Priestley Glacier is expecting a comparatively balmy high of 6 degrees and low of seven 7 degrees below zero!

If you're stranded in your car in snowy conditions, having the right supplies can mean the difference between life and death. Here's a list items you need to be prepared:

Gloves
Heavy wool socks
Commercial handwarmers 
Blankets (for wrapping up in and for insulating your car windows)
Snow boots
Shovel (to dig your car out if you can and, if you can't, to clear your exhaust pipe so you can run the car's engine)
Kitty litter (to use as traction for your tires)

Rescue teams also recommend keeping your car's gas tank at least half full in winter so that in case you're stranded, you'll have enough gas to turn the car's engine on and off to keep warm.

It's also important to call 911 immediately so you don't risk having your phone die before you're able to let someone know where you are. Emergency services can ping your phone to find your exact location in case you need to be rescued. 

Stay warm, stay safe. We're here if you need us.

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