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Coffee can survival kit for winter driving

You easily can equip your vehicle with essential survival gear for winter. Here's what you'll need:

• A 2 or 3 pound metal coffee can (punch 3 holes at the top of can, equal distance apart). You'll be storing the other items inside the can.
• 60-inch length of twine or heavy string (cut into 3 equal pieces - used to suspend can).
• 3 large safety pins (tie string to safety pins and pin to car roof interior to suspend can over candle).
• 1 candle 2" diameter (place on lid under suspended can for melting snow).
• 1 pocket knife, reasonably sharp (or substitute with scissors).
• 3 pieces of bright cloth 2" wide x 36" long (tie to antenna or door handle).
• Several packets of soup, hot chocolate, tea, bouillon cubes, etc. (mixed into melted snow to provide warmth and nutrition).
• Plastic spoon.
• 1 small package of peanuts (provides protein) and fruit-flavored candy (orange slices, jelly beans, etc. - avoid chocolate, it can have a diuretic effect, which could cause you to become dehydrated).
• 1 pair of socks and 1 pair of gloves or glove liners, depending on what will fit in the can (cotton is not recommended because it provides no insulation when wet).
• 2 packages of book matches.
• 1 sun shield blanket or 2 large green or black plastic leaf bags (to reflect body heat).
• 1 pen light and batteries (keep separate).
• 2 quarters and 2 dimes for telephone calls.

When complete, place stocking cap over kit and carry in passenger compartment of car. If you have a 3 pound can, you will still have additional room for band-aids, aspirin, small radio, etc. If there is still room left, increase the quantity of any of the above items or improvise items you feel might be necessary.

Other items you may want to keep in the vehicle:

• Large plastic garbage bag.
• Pencil stub and paper.
• Plastic whistle.

You may want to keep the survival kit in the passenger compartment in case you go into a ditch and can't get to or open the trunk.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Michael Goetzman, michael.goetzman@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: December 3, 2007