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As another winter storm bears down, common-sense preparedness beats panic, and AAA’s own repair-systems manager, David Bennett, reminded Americans that a little foresight can save lives. Bennett’s straightforward advice on staying ready — carrying a dependable emergency kit and keeping your vehicle winterized — is exactly the sort of practical guidance every family should heed before the highways turn treacherous.
Start with the basics: a first-aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, phone charger, nonperishable snacks, bottled water, blankets, and an ice scraper or small shovel. These aren’t luxury items — they’re emergency essentials the government won’t hand you when roads freeze and plows are hours away.
One item that surprises folks but makes perfect sense is abrasive material like cat litter, sand, or traction mats — small, cheap tools that can get a family moving again when tires spin on ice. AAA and other experts explicitly recommend these low-tech fixes because when infrastructure lags, grit in the trunk is worth its weight in saved time and safety.
Bennett and other experts also stress keeping your gas tank near full — it’s not just convenience, it’s survival planning. The nightmare I-95 pileup years ago showed what happens when motorists run low on fuel and heat; being self-reliant with a full tank lets you keep the heater running in short bursts and stay safe while waiting for help.
If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle — it’s shelter, visibility, and your heating source — and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Those are basic, commonsense rules that too many people learn the hard way; don’t be one of them because you thought someone else would rescue you immediately.
AAA’s recent advisories also remind drivers that simple maintenance and readiness reduce callouts and save emergency services for true crises, whether that means jumper cables, a fully charged battery pack, or extra warm clothes. We should all be accountable for our own safety rather than expecting perfect responses from officials who are often stretched thin when storms strike.
Hardworking Americans don’t need scare tactics — we need clear, practical steps. Pack a winter kit, keep your tank topped, throw a bag of cat litter in the trunk, and teach your family how to stay safe if the lights go out and the roads close; that self-reliance is what keeps communities whole when nature tests us.
