Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Winter Travel? Stash Emergency Supplies in a Cargo Organizer
 "Tis the season" for heading over the river and through the woods — family visits, trips to the mountain in heavy snow or the occasional blizzard or ice storm.
If you haven't already equipped your car with an emergency kit, now is the time. Any number of ready-made kits are available for purchase, but they usually fall short of being complete. It's easy enough to compile your own kit and store it in your vehicle's trunk, rear cargo space, or cargo carrier. See the end of this blog for a basic supply list.
At FastTrackRacks.com, we carry a great selection of cargo organizers that work well for organizing emergency supplies. They're available in several sizes, soft- or hard-sided, and some fold flat or collapse for easy storage. Many cargo organizers have moveable dividers to customize your space.
When I'm not using mine, I fold it flat and slip it under the rear cargo mat of my Subaru Outback. Cargo organizers are versatile, too. Besides emergency  supplies, you can use them to hold grocery bags upright (mine are always tipping over), store children's toys and extra clothes, stash grubby dog gear (balls, towels, water, leashes), hold miscellaneous recreational accessories (bike helmets, water bottles, spare shoes, soccer balls...), etc.
Most models come equipped with carrying handles, so it's easy enough to cart the whole bag into Grandmother's house. I've given several as gifts, and they've been much appreciated.
But, back to the topic at at hand. It's cold; storms strike quickly. Make sure you have the following on hand:
- flashlight and spare batteries
- matches and candles
- jumper cables
- small shovel
- first aid kit
- tire chains
- extra clothes (e.g., hats, gloves, poncho)
- blanket (I throw an older down sleeping bag in the car in winter)
- flares
- radio with spare battery (there are some great solar- or crank-powered radio/flashlight combinations)
- basic tools (including jack and tire-changing tools — and throw in the Swiss Army knife!)
- window scraper
- red flag
- water
- small food supply (e.g., protein bars or some canned food and can opener)
- tarp
- plastic garbage bags (so many uses!)
- compass
Other items to consider, space allowing:
- bag of sand or salt
- sturdy shoes or hiking boots and good socks
- deck of cards
- lip balm and/or hand cream
- tow rope
- cash
- emergency phone numbers
- small cooking kit (camp stove and Sierra cup)
- old towels for drying and clean-up
Get out and enjoy the winter wonderland! Drive safely!
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