Shelter Portable, safe, heat for winter car emergencies

[Toosh]

After watching the big winter traffic jam in VA, I wonder how many prepare their vehicles for winter. Even a trip across town can turn into a nightmare under the right (wrong) conditions. A few years back I started carrying my heating pad in the car as a source of personal heat. Yeah, you know, the heating pad used when you have sore muscles? In the winter, I keep it in the car.

These days, you can find heating pads and even small stadium blankets in 12v and usb versions. I like the usb version because I have an alternate power supply; not dependant on my vehicle battery. With a 10,000 mAh battery I have a personal heat source for about 10 hours. Granted, it's not a lot but it's enough. You can even find usb heating pads where multiples can be plugged into one outlet.

My battery is my emergency starter. So now you have a double service item - heating pad and emergency heat. As well, I have a 4x use item in my starter, light, phone charger and emergency heat.

I'm certain you can find this at a local store but provide an Amazon link so everyone has at least one access point.

Amazon.com: Akozon USB Heating Pad 5V 2A Electric Cloth Heater Washable Foldable Pad 45℃ 9.511.8in 3 Mode Adjustable Temperature and Timer for Clothes Seat Pet Warmer : Pet Supplies

Buy Akozon USB Heating Pad 5V 2A Electric Cloth Heater Washable Foldable Pad 45℃ 9.511.8in 3 Mode Adjustable Temperature and Timer for Clothes Seat Pet Warmer: Heat Mats - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[Slydersan]

I was raised in northeast Ohio with literally everyone in the family at least having a blanket of some sort in the car trunk to be used at ball-games, fireworks, picnics, etc. And usually a hat and some kind of gloves thrown in there too. So to me it just seems normal. But I know a lot of people, in the mid-Atlantic, that look at you weird and say "Why do you have xxxx in your car ?" I've seen those USB powered blankets and wondered how long they last on a charge of a battery-bank kind of thing. I usually "run hot" - I'm that guy walking in to work in the middle of winter without a hat/gloves/coat. I have them, they're just in the car. So just a normal blanket is probably fine for me. But I have older relatives that are ALWAYS cold, so I might have to look in to some of those.

 

[Tundra Gypsy]

In an article I was recently reading, it mentioned using a can with a small votive candle and a few other things to provide a little heat. They didn't mention carrying hand and foot warmers. They also make large body type warmers. I keep a wool blanket in the car along with an insulated emergency blanket. I keep extra bottles water and food to munch on as well. All that besides my 'go' bag.

 

[20Gauge]

The wife always has a bag packed to allow her to whether the weather for the 10 miles to get home. There is a midway point at the 6 mile mark ( parent's home ) so that is our plan b if she can not make it the whole 10 miles. She does walk more than that each day at work though, so it would be more of how hot it is and not her endurance.

The back is packed to meet our needs for the SE GA, but she also always has a jacket in the car for warmth. Something that is only needed maybe a week or two every year. Her back has all what she needs to get home. Things such as spare shoes, socks, fluids for her, wipes, fire, etc.

We hope to never ever need it.

Personally I would just get the hand warmers if I was traveling in snow country.

 

[kyrsyan]

There are 48, 72, and 96 hour warmers. No, they won't heat a whole vehicle. But under thermal blankets or a coat, one or two can do a lot to keep body temps up. They are meant for shipping animals, so they are also larger than the small ones available in the sports departments.

 

[WalknTrot]

I've always traveled with all sorts of gear..sleeping bags, arctic snorkel parka, Sorels, wool socks/mitts/hats/, hand/foot warmers, propane stove and fuel, cooking pan, water, tea and coffee bags, munchies, shovel, chicken grit, tow straps, come-a-long, axe, bow saw, firestarters, etc. When I was working, a pair of snowshoes, besides.

BUT the main thing is to avoid ever needing them in the first place by paying attention!

 

[briches]

I will be double checking my vehicle after this. I’m sure it can use an update.
I am in VA. We’re going into 60 hours with no power and no thoughts of when it might be restored. Power lines still down in lots of places.

 

[20Gauge]

There are 48, 72, and 96 hour warmers. No, they won't heat a whole vehicle. But under thermal blankets or a coat, one or two can do a lot to keep body temps up. They are meant for shipping animals, so they are also larger than the small ones available in the sports departments.

If you are dressed for the weather, they should work I would think. I didn't know of the longer lasting ones. Good to know!

 

[Toosh]

I assume anyone here has the basics covered. I like to keep an eye on new technology that can make my life easier or after the basics are met, more comfortable.

 

[kyrsyan]

If you are dressed for the weather, they should work I would think. I didn't know of the longer lasting ones. Good to know!

I used the sporting dept ones when I was running a paper route. A car's heater can only do so much when you have to keep putting windows down. I now have the reusable ones that can be restored by boiling water.
But for emergencies, when I don't know what might be available, large disposable are best. And the vehicle has emergency blankets in the back.
Btw, there are now usb charger warmers. It's a short time solution but it might work.

 

[EMICT]

I carry a 'Big Buddy' heater if I'm going on a trip in the winter. Care has to be taken as to placement, and the ability to roll down the window's part way from time to time, but works quite well. Open flames as in survival candles has to have extra precautions.

 

[packyderms_wife]

I have blankets in my car, hand, foot, and kidney warmers, always take my parka with me, hats, gloves, winter boots, and if the weather is really bad then my sleeping bags rated to -35F Heated blanket sounds like a great idea.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Don't forget to have sunglasses in your vehicle if you live in snow country and get stranded when there's snow on the ground. Snow blindness is a very real thing.

 

[kyrsyan]

Don't forget to have sunglasses in your vehicle if you live in snow country and get stranded when there's snow on the ground. Snow blindness is a very real thing.

Sunglasses are a must in my vehicles. For my son's migraines. For me because there are certain spectrums/colors of natural light that can trigger a migraine for me. Normally the colors when storms are coming in.
But for snow, yeah. Midnight here looks like dusk when everything is covered in snow.

 

[ComCamGuy]

Sleeping bag bivy bag live in the vehicles all the time. In the winter the lightweight bag gets swapped out for a winter weight one. 12 cell ready heat casualty heat blanket and wool blanket round out the keep warm preps in the motorcycles and four wheeled vehicles