Preparing Your Emergency Survival Kit - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

Greg discusses the importance of preparing a winter emergency kit before you hit the road in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.

Here's a full transcript of this episode:

Rob Carnie: Today with Greg Marcyniuk from Heritage Insurance in downtown Moose Jaw. And Greg, quite often on the road report on 800 CHAB, we urge people to make sure they have an emergency survival kit in the vehicle before they head out on the highway, and you concur. It's very important.

Greg Marcyniuk: Oh it is, because of the wind and with the windshield factors it doesn't take long for a person where you're gonna get frost bite, or you can actually freeze to death. So, certainly a good idea to put this together in the event that something does happen. So first of all you should have food that won't spoil, such as snack bars. Water, you should have at least, you know, six bottles in the truck, and make sure that they're in bottles that aren't going to bust when they freeze, like empty some of the water out, and replace it every six months, as well.

Blanket, extra clothing, shoes and/or boots, as well as gloves, having good winter gloves. You should also have a first aid kit there in the vehicle, and something that I carry all the time is a seat-belt cutter. I know when that truck went through the ice, the guy was scrambling, apparently, to get his seat-belt off, and you should have one of those handy because they're a great tool. As well, make sure you have a small shovel in the event that you do get stuck, and a scraper and snow brush. And as well, a candle with a deep can as well as matches, and, if possible, a wind-up flashlight. Whistle, in the case of...if you hear people around and if it's really blizzarding out, you can start blowing it and they can come and find you that way. You should have road maps; don't rely upon Google because batteries do die. And as well, you should have some sort of an emergency plan in place and you should share that emergency plan with your family members.

Now, another thing that a lot of people overlook is what items you should have in your trunk. You should always, you know, have some sand, or salt, or kitty litter, the non-clumping kind in there, in the event that you are stuck and you get on some ice and you can throw that under. Anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid, because things can happen where you run out of windshield washer and you want to be able to see where you're at. A tow rope, as well as jumper cables, of course a fire extinguisher, always a good idea, and a warning light or road flares in the event that you are pulled over. So, these are just some of the things that you should have there and available in the event, number one, you do get stuck and could save your life.

Rob: Absolutely, and the number one rule, if you ever get stranded in the wintertime, is never leave your vehicle.

Greg: That's correct, Rob. Like you should always, first of all, when you are stuck, is try to stay calm. Don't go out in the cold and stay in your car. That way you'll avoid getting lost and your car is probably the best, safest shelter for you.

Rob: You can find these tips and a whole lot more information on your website.

Greg: That's correct, nohassleinsurance.ca or come on down to the corner of First and Fairford West to see any of our fine people here.

(Video transcription by Speechpad)

Preparing Your Emergency Survival Kit - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

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