Page 8 - January 2020 Impression

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Preparedness

Spotlight

11 Items to Keep in Your

Car This Winter

Tis the season for mittens, earmuffs, scarves and parkas. Winter is upon us, and
plunging temperatures could make way for the four-letter S-word — snow.

At Johns Hopkins, staff in many roles are required to come to work in the snow because
the care of our patients depends on them. “Thousands of staff members report to work
despite the weather conditions outside,” says Lauren Sauer, CEPAR’s director of

operations. “Snow, sleet and ice can really put a damper on a commute. Even the most
skilled drivers can get stuck or become stranded, so it’s important to take precautions.”

CEPAR recommends ensuring these items are in your car to prepare for winter-related

emergencies:

• Ice scraper with snowbrush: Keep this handy to allow for better clearing of
your windows and lights before traveling.

• Shovel: Having a full-size or foldable full-size shovel in your trunk will make
digging your car out easier. Smaller shovels can easily break in heavy snow.

• Sand or kitty litter: Not only will the added weight of the bag help with traction
for rear-wheel vehicles, pouring sand or kitty litter by your tires can help if your
car is stuck.

• Portable phone charger/battery: If your cellphone battery dies, you can easily
charge it with a phone charger kept in your car. If you are unable to start your car,

a portable battery can power up your phone. Hazard triangles, reflectors or
battery-powered flashers: If you get into an accident, these will alert other drivers

on the road as well as mark your location.
• Jumper cables: Cold weather can drain your car battery. Jumper cables restart

your car and get you back on the road.
• Gas container: Never store fuel in your trunk, but keeping a gas container in
your car will be helpful in getting gas at the nearest gas station and can save your

car from being towed.