By Bryan Eneas

Traveling? Paramedics, insurers say pack a cold weather kit

Dec 27, 2017 | 4:00 PM

For those who still have travelling to do this holiday season, packing along a cold weather kit is essential.

Tyler McMurchy, an SGI spokesperson, recommended a number of items to include in a cold weather kit.

“It can include things like warm clothes, a shovel, blankets or sleeping bags, a snow brush and ice scraper, booster cables, a flashlight, flares, a candle and some tin cups to melt snow for water, and some non-perishable foods,” McMurchy said,

Suggested food items to include are nuts, granola bars dried fruit or even soup mixes in the event of a prolonged roadside stay. He said a fully charged cellphone or a phone charger should also be included in an emergency kit.

McMurchy encouraged travellers to stay in touch with people who they’re going to visit by letting them know when you’re heading out. He also encouraged providing updates along the way – as long as drivers aren’t operating their phones behind the wheel.

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Lyle Karasiuk, from Parkland Ambulance echoed many of McMurchy’s sentiments. He added a scarf should be included in cold weather kits for vehicles. Scarves can be hung from windows to alert people of your presence.

If people are stranded, McMurchy said to stay calm and remain inside the vehicle because it offers protection from the elements. He recommended running the engine sporadically to stay warm but only after checking the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Karasiuk said people should always remain in their vehicles when stranded in the cold weather.

“Maybe you’ve got your big boots on, and maybe you’ve got your big coat and its daylight, but what is the terrain like?” Karasiuk said. “All you need to do is step in a hole, and sprain an ankle and hurt yourself.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @BryanEneas