Driving Tips To Keep You Safe This Winter Giveaway

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One of my favorite childhood memories were the road trips we’d take as a family. I loved everything about those trips…from the games we’d play in the car to the impromptu stops we’d make along the way for off-the-beaten path activities and sights. While we haven’t taken a ton of road trips as a family, we are starting to utilize this type of travel because it is easier and more convenient to be able to pack exactly what is needed without having to worry about space constraints.

Over the holidays, we took our children to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona.I had no idea how beautiful Arizona was and we were so happy that we chose a location that is serene and scenic. Because we were covering a lot of distance, we took our car to our local dealership to ensure it was running properly without any problems. We also made it a priority to pack a few emergency supplies, in case we encountered anything unexpected along those isolated desert roads.

Snow, sleet, hand other weather events are not usually seen in Southern California, which is why State Farm’s Winter Driving Tips and suggested checklist were so valuable. Prior to reading their tips, I literally housed a spare tire and a small first aid kit in my trunk. However, in the event of snow, ice, and other dangerous weather conditions that wasn’t going to cut it. Here is a list of items that State Farm recommends families keep in their vehicles:

Jumper cables
Spare tire
Hazard triangle/road flares
Flashlight
First aid kit
Water
Blanket

In the event that you are stranded, State Farm offers the following safe driving tips:

Pull off the highway (if possible), turn on your hazard lights and use a road flare or reflectors to signal attention.
If you have a cell phone, call 911 and describe your location as precisely as possible. Follow any instructions from the dispatcher.
Remain in your vehicle so help can find you.
Run your vehicle’s engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm.
Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Don’t waste your vehicle’s battery power. Balance electrical energy needs – lights, heat and radio – with supply.
At night, turn on an inside light when you run the engine so help can see you.
Keep emergency supplies like road flares, a flashlight, blanket, windshield scraper, jumper cables, spare tire and a first aid kit in your vehicle or trunk at all times.
Keep your fuel tank at least ½ full at all times during bad weather.

What are your best winter driving tips? I’d love to hear them!

For more information or to read additional tips, visit State Farm.

Win It! Two of you will win emergency roadside kits which will include a State Farm duffle bag filled with jumper cables, road flares, a flashlight, a first aid kit, a blanket, and more. Simple leave me a comment with your best winter driving tip. Comments will close on February 20th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.