After a mild start to the year, a cold spell is on its way to Manitoba this weekend, with daily highs in the negative twenties, and lows dipping into the negative thirties.
Preparation is important when the temperature starts to dip, and one way to be ready for the extreme cold is an emergency preparedness kit in your car. CAA Manitoba Communications Manager Elisha Dacey says they aren't hard to put together.
"An emergency kit, obviously, is one of the most important things that you can have in your car. Some of the things that you might want to stock up on for the cold snap, make sure you have blankets, and you might want to throw an extra blanket or two in there. Candles, lighters, waterproof matches."
It's also a good idea to have a good pair of boots and mitts in your car as well says Dacey. Aside from what to put in your car before you hit the road, it's also important to plan ahead if you're making a long drive.
"I think it's the same in any kind of weather. First of all, you want to tell somebody where you're going. I know that a trip from Dauphin to Winnipeg is going to be fairly populated, its probably not going to be too big of an issue, but it doesn't hurt to have someone know where you're going."
Having a fully charged phone, and a full tank of gas is also key before heading out says Dacey.
"Make sure your cell phone is fully charged, I like to have an extra charger in my car at all times. Make sure of course that you've got gas, you never know when you'll run into that problem or not so fill up your tank, and make sure your emergency kit is in the back of your vehicle."
Ultimately, Dacey says if it's possible to stay home when we're experiencing extreme cold, it's a good idea to do so.
"When it gets this cold, we actually say stay home if you can. Avoid travel when it's this cold. Sometimes it's just not worth it and if you can avoid it, and reschedule something for another day, it's the same thing as when it snows heavily, sometimes the risk just isn't worth it. But if you do have to drive, take your time, drive to the conditions, make sure that cellphone's fully charged, and make sure you let someone know when you're going."
CAA has a number of winter driving tips, and advice on battery maintenance in the winter at their website here.
