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.
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