Poster of the Month, November 2015: Prepare for winter driving with some emergency travel essentials

BAD WEATHER BASICS

With winter just around the corner, it's a good time to put together some emergency travel essentials

• Warm, waterproof clothing and boots
• Map, in case of unexpected diversion
• De-icer, scraper and snow shovel
• Ready-to-eat food and a warm drink
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• First-aid kit and essential medication
• Emergency contact numbers
• Mobile phone with charger
• Torch with spare batteries
• Cash and credit cards     

November's Poster of the Month is a reminder to drivers about preparing for the winter driving conditions.

When you consider all the things that could happen, you realise how having some travel essentials in your vehicle could really help in an emergency.

Your vehicle could break down.

According to the AA, the number of vehicle breakdowns nearly doubles during particularly cold spells. 

Increased use of lights, wipers and heating put extra strain on the battery, which explains why battery problems are a major cause of breakdowns. 

No battery means no heat and no lights, so pack warm clothing and a torch. A charged mobile with emergency numbers and a map could help you contact your breakdown service and let them know where you are.

With an increase in breakdowns and accidents, you might be waiting for a while. So make sure you have food and drink with you, just in case.

You could be involved in an accident.

Road accidents increase during winter weather.

In icy conditions stopping distances are 10x the distance needed to stop on a dry road and information from Kia states that 48% of winter road accidents are a result of skidding.

Again, emergency phone contacts are important in case you have an accident. Check the emergency settings on your phone and make sure your preferences are set correctly.

List your emergency contact under the name 'ICE' on your mobile so the emergency services can find it easily, if they need to.

You could be diverted from your route.

Accidents and extreme weather can cause road closures and diversions. If you are affected, make sure you have access to a map or sat-nav to help you find your destination.

You could be stranded.

Every winter we see news footage of cars abandoned on the side of the road. What if that happened to you?

It's a good idea to carry money/credit cards, spare contact lenses and essential medication in case you can't get home.

Your vehicle could be stuck in snow.

If you get stuck, a shovel, some de-icer and an ice scraper could help to get you moving again.

Kodiak Industrial produces posters, like the one featured, to maintain safety and wellbeing.

Our database features many posters on safe driving, during winter and throughout the year.

If you would like to find out more, or purchase posters for your workplace, please visit our website or call us on 01530 456 000.