Survival in a can

The Illinois State Police department in Springfield suggests using the following emergency kit. Keep this kit in the passenger compartment of your car in case of a roadside emergency or bad weather:

• 2- or 3-pound coffee can with three evenly spaced holes punched in the top edge;

• 60-inch piece of twine cut into three equal pieces to suspend the can;

• two large safety pins to suspend the can;

• 2 inch diameter candle, that will be placed under the suspended can to melt snow;

• sharp pocketknife or pair of scissors;

• three pieces of bright cloth, roughly 2 inches by 36 inches, to tie to the antenna and door handles;

• small package of peanuts and a small pack of fruit-flavored candy (avoid chocolate);

• pair of cotton athletic socks;

• pair of cotton glove liners;

• two books of matches;

• sun-shield blanket or two large plastic leaf bags (The bags will reflect body heat and reduce heat loss from the wind);

• pen light and batteries (kept separately);

• personal medications;

• if room allows, adhesive bandages, aspirin, and a small radio.