I was blessed by grandparents who survived the Great Depression and many lean years in the wilderness. Several of my uncles lived off the grid most of their lives, and my great-grandfather was one of the last mountain men. Each of them handed down nuggets of wisdom that have been passed down to me and […]
The post My Grandpa Taught Me This appeared first on Ask a Prepper.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
If you're like most preppers, then every year you spend time preparing your home for winter. You check windows and doors for leaks, insulating wherever possible.
You preserve your summer and fall harvest for your pantry. You stock up on essential supplies to keep your family and animals fed and your home running smoothly in the event of an emergency.
But do you take the same care to protect yourself when heading out in your car? Winter can be treacherous, and every year we read horror stories of people trapped in their vehicles due to extreme weather. What would you do if you were trapped in your car during a winter storm? Would you be safe until you were able to get help?
First, let’s look at some basic preparation tips for winter driving.
Now, here is our list of winter survival items to carry in your car.
Temperatures inside your car can drop quickly if you cannot run your heater. Place several warm blankets in your car. If you are short on room, pack low-weight, low-bulk space blankets.
We often rely on electronics to keep us busy, but packing a few novels or children’s books can help pass the time in a stressful situation as you are waiting to get back on your way. It also couldn't hurt to have some survival books.
Winter travel emergencies can mean unexpected expenses. Don’t get caught short-handed when it comes to paying for them. I personally keep some extra cash inside my phone case where most people would never think to look.
Start out your trip with a fully-charged phone and keep a charger in your car at all times. In the event of a long-term emergency, you’ll want a power bank for charging your phone.
Often overlooked, duct tape can be an invaluable addition to your kit. Whether it’s temporarily patching a broken window, securing a loose part on your vehicle, or even improvising a tool, this versatile item is a must-have for unexpected winter emergencies.
You never know what can happen when a car spins out of control on a patch of ice. You’ll be ready to handle many emergencies – such as breaking a car window or cutting a seatbelt – with a sturdy multi-tool in your pocket or glove compartment.
One of the biggest concerns, when your car breaks down, is being visible to other cars passing on the road. Winter storms can greatly reduce other drivers’ ability to see you.
If your vehicle is in a dangerous location out of sight, you will want rescuers to see you. Keeping flares and reflectors in your trunk will help in both scenarios.
Changing a flat tire during sub-zero temperatures or in heavy snowfall can be a dangerous if not impossible situation. Using tire sealant may allow you to get your vehicle to the next town or to a safer place to change your tire. Keep some in your trunk. Also, be sure you have a spare tire in your trunk and that it is in good condition.
Keep extra batteries on hand for your flashlight and for any other devices (such as a battery-powered radio). I recommend these batteries that can be recharged in a USB port.
It’s a good idea to keep a fully-stocked first aid kit in your car at all times. However, it can be critically important to have these items in the winter. Response times from emergency vehicles can be slow in hazardous weather, and you may need to administer first aid until help arrives.
Cell phone flashlights come in handy, but you’ll want to conserve your phone battery as much as possible. Keep a sturdy, high-beam flashlight in your car to help you see in the dark and to signal for help.
It is difficult – if not dangerous – to use the first two items without warm winter gloves on your hands. Hand warmers are also a good idea to help prevent frostbite.
If you are stuck in your car, you need to ration the use of your car’s battery. A hand-crank or wind-up radio will allow you to monitor weather and road conditions and listen to news and music without using your car’s power.
It’s easy to take for granted the basic necessities of life until we are in an emergency. If you are heading out for winter travel, pack toilet paper, diapers, wet wipes, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, tissue packs, and other personal hygiene items.
Snow and ice can build up quickly on your vehicle, dangerously affecting your visibility. In addition, snow and ice can fly off your roof or hood and hit another vehicle. Before you set out on a trip, clear your entire car of ice and snow with an ice scraper and brush.
You may need to start a fire to keep warm if you are stranded for a long time. Matches will come in handy in wet winter conditions. You also can melt snow for water if you run out of the water you have packed.
GPS and Google maps are great when you have access to Wi-Fi and data, but paper maps are what you need when you are offline or off road due to a winter emergency. Print out your itinerary before you depart and keep a folding map of the entire area where you are traveling in your vehicle.
In extreme conditions, having a portable heater designed for automotive use can be a lifesaver. These heaters typically plug into your car's 12V outlet and can provide just enough warmth to keep you comfortable while conserving fuel. Be sure to keep proper ventilation if you’re using any heating device in your vehicle.
In severe temperatures, car batteries can need a jump to get started. You can get help quicker if your car won’t start, and you can help others if you carry your own set of jumper cables. Or better yet, get a pocket jumper. With this, you won't need another vehicle to jump start your car.
You can use a tow chain to help get your vehicle – or someone else’s – out of a snow drift. A long and sturdy rope (or paracord) can be an essential item in any winter emergency.
Keeping a bag of one of these coarse materials can come in handy when your tires are stuck in ice or snow. You can spread the material near your tires to gain traction.
A small or collapsible shovel is a useful item to have in your car at any time of year, but it can be indispensable in the winter. Use it to help you get out of a snowdrift or to clear a path in the snow. Be sure to clear snow from your tire wells also.
Even with careful preparation, icy roads can be a challenge. Carrying snow chains or traction straps specifically designed for your tires can greatly improve your vehicle’s grip on slippery surfaces.
These items can be the difference between getting safely to your destination or being stranded on the side of the road. Make sure you know how to install them before you need them in an emergency.
We often think of sunglasses as a summer necessity, but the glare from the sun on snow can be blinding. Have some sunglasses in your car to reduce eye strain when driving for long periods in the winter.
You can perform simple car maintenance yourself if you keep a small tool kit in your trunk. Be sure to have the tools you need to loosen or tighten bolts, for example. A roll of duct tape can come in handy as well.
Another option for gaining traction in slippery road conditions is a traction mat. Place the mat under or near your tires to prevent spinning.
Pack high-protein dried fruit and nuts in your car for a winter trip. Granola bars and trail mix are good options. Also, pack plenty of fresh water in reusable plastic bottles.
It’s amazing how much snow and ice other vehicles can toss your way when you are driving in the winter. You can clear it away frequently as well as de-ice your windshield while you are driving when you have plenty of anti-freeze windshield washer fluid. Keep an extra bottle in your trunk during wintery weather.
All too often, we set out on a winter drive trip without proper outerwear because we are relying on our car’s heater. Extra winter gear such as coats, snow pants, gloves, boots, hats, and scarves come in handy during a winter car emergency.
Passing the time until the weather breaks or help arrives can be tedious and stressful for everyone. Pack a bag of entertainment supplies including pens, crayons, and paper. Also, include playing cards and perhaps a game of magnetic checkers or chess.
Probably the most important thing you can do is use your common sense when driving in winter weather. Pay close attention to changing weather conditions and freezing temperatures. Don’t risk a trip when a serious storm is heading your way. It may be best to postpone your trip until the driving conditions are safer.
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The post 30 Winter Survival Items To Keep In Your Car appeared first on Urban Survival Site.
One of the best things you can do as a prepper is to learn how to make homemade meals. Most people make green bean casserole for the holidays, but this casserole is so good that you’ll want to make it any time of the year! It pairs perfectly as a side to a variety of entrees.
Green bean casserole is iconic as a Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish and is part of the food fair in the United States. Made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French-fried onions, it is the ultimate comfort food. Dorcas Reilly created the first recipe for this casserole at the Campbell Soup Company in 1955, and it has been a tradition ever since.
If you want the best green bean casserole, I’ve perfected this dish from the 1955 recipe. With a little soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper, this casserole is even better than the classic green bean casserole people have enjoyed for decades. It’s perfect as a side dish to almost any main entree, and even though it’s a classic Thanksgiving and Christmas dish, you can make it as a crowd-pleasing meal item any time of the year.
As a prepper, I recommend stocking and storing canned cream of mushroom soup, green beans, and seasonings since they are all ingredients used in various recipes. For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Green bean casserole is incredibly easy to make, as you’ll see by following the steps below:
Gather your ingredients, so you’re ready to go with meal preparation.
Preheat the oven to (350°F) = (176°C). If using fresh green beans, cut off the ends and cut them into bite-size pieces. Steam until tender (about 5-7 minutes in a pot of boiling water). If using canned green beans, skip to step 4.
Drain the steamed green beans.
Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. If not using fresh green beans, go to step 4.
Combine the mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper, mix until smooth. Set aside.
Place the green beans into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 of the French’s® French Fried Onions over the green beans.
Pour the soup mixture over this layer. Baked uncovered for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
Enjoy.
Green bean casserole should not be runny. You want a nice thick sauce to coat the green beans, not a soup. If your green bean casserole is watery, you may have measured too much milk into the recipe. To rectify this, add a thickener such as flour or cornstarch to thicken the soup mixture before adding it to your green beans. Or skip the milk altogether.
I use fresh green beans from my garden and prefer fresh over canned. Canned green beans tend to get mushy and tasteless after they are baked into the casserole. However, fresh green beans come out perfectly crisp yet tender and flavorful. Plus, if you have a garden, this is the perfect way to use those green beans!
The French-fried onions add texture and flavor. The crispy onions are what make the whole dish blend together so well. If you don’t have any, you can substitute them with dried bread crumbs mixed with butter, crushed potato chips, or Ritz crackers. Keep in mind that substitutions will change the flavor.
Yes, you can! However, you don’t want to add the crispy onions beforehand since they will get soggy. Assemble your casserole in the baking dish without the onions. You can store it wrapped in plastic wrap for 2-3 days in your refrigerator. Or, you can freeze it for up to 2-weeks before you want to bake it. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, add the crispy onions, and follow the baking directions above.
If you have leftover green bean casserole, store it in your refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. It is good for 3-5 days. When reheating, add another layer of French-fried onions and crisp them in the oven. Otherwise, the crispy onions will be a bit soggy if you reheat them in the microwave.
Quart Mason Jars With Lids
Quart Mason Jars Using DicoRain
If you’re interested in learning how to make more homemade recipes, check out some of my favorites below!
I’ll bet your family has a green bean casserole recipe in your meal preparation inventory. Is yours much different or similar? I’d love to hear about your green bean casserole recipe and share it with my readers. It’s all about teaching our family to cook from scratch; casseroles are a great way to start. May God Bless this world, Linda
The post The Best Green Bean Casserole appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
All too often, when people get snowed in, they’re snowed in without power, without heat, and possibly even without water.
The post How to Survive a Snow-In appeared first on Survivopedia.
Written by Bernie Carr As the temperature drops and winter approaches, preparing your apartment for cold weather becomes essential for both comfort and safety. However, many apartment dwellers overlook key
The post Top 10 Cold Weather Prepping Mistakes Apartment Dwellers Make first appeared on Apartment Prepper.