Even our Lead Politician was delayed by this mess.

http://thevalleyhitmusic.com/2011/01/27/president-obamas-motorcade-stuck-in-heavy-snow-in-d-c/

Not sure how they know where to go without getting stuck themselves.

I don't know why, but snow chains seem taboo to everyone not on the west coast. I grew up in SoCal, where they were mandatory in the mountains during winter. My wife, from Wisconsin, said no one ever uses them, or even buys them. Wierd.

I'm pretty sure my truck could have gone where I needed to, but yeah, I have a 25 mile commute. Who knows how long that would have taken. Chances are, I would have just stayed in the clinic and grabbed an exam bed for some sleep. Not my first nap in a clinic/hospital.

Another pet peeve about AWD/4WD vehicles. Most people thing it makes them invincible, that they "can go anywhere." Um, yeah. 4-wheel drive is not the same as 4-wheel STOP. Who cares how fast you're going when you ram into something and bust your car?

As for your 8-mo preggers friend. There's nothing special she'll need. A blanket, hat, some clothes for the kid. Her god-given baby-feeders can feed the baby til help comes. If she feels better, fine, grab some formula and a bottle. Diapers too, but baby poop in a newborn isn't usually copious, so a few of those is fine. The problem is delivering the kid.
http://www.med-worldwide.com/obstetrical-ob-kit-sealed-standard-28-4440010-p63349

Some in boxed/bagged, and extra goody versions. But useless if someone wont' step up and play catcher as she's pushing the kid out.

Add to baby gear:

Infant Acetaminophen and/or Ibuprofen and a dosing chart from your doctor. They don’t mark the dosage for under 2 years old on the package. It might be hard to “ask your doctor” if you're stranded.

You can never have enough diapers and wipes. Include several sizes from newborn on up, they outgrow them fast and one that's too large is much better than two that are too small.

EXTRA CLOTHES! They WILL have an explosion the one time you leave the house without extra clothes. See above for sizes.

AMEN!

LOL -- I'll definitely put that on the list.

Thanks, all!


:-)

I don't have kids so can't comment there. But one thing that I think every vehicle kit should have is a small am/fm battery radio, that way one can keep up with the news without running the car battery down.

http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/headlamps/signal-and-elite/elite

I have a couple of these and if I were putting together a car kit, this multi-purpose head light would be on top of the list. I carry one set of extra batts, so I would have at least 70 hours of use. There is a flasher mode in both red and clear. Just a great little light for any kit and especially the vehicle kit.

Yoare correct; the e-light is a fine headlamp. My only problem is that it uses batteries that are not compatible with the rest of my electronic goodies - I tend to standardize on AAA battereis for radio, GPS, and lights.

Fortunately, there are lots of good headlamps available to suit just about any taste and pocketbook. They are always useful.

I'm probably too old-fashioned for most here, but WHY is an 8-mo preggie commuting during a storm??? That baby could come anytime, and stress could probably set her off. Being stuck in snow with nothing but businessmen and truck drivers around seems like a really stupid idea, to me.

A little common sense would be a good idea: watch the weather forecast, don't think they've got it down to the hour, if bad weather is coming relatively soon, don't go to work. I'm sure she isn't THAT indispensable, even if she thinks she is.

Ask her EXACTLY what she intends to do if she goes into labor in the car, stuck in a snowstorm, and no one can find her or get to her. I'll bet this is her first baby and she doesn't really have a clue. Let's toss this in: BREECH BIRTH!

Sue

Even taking the financial aspects out of it, careers are justifiably important to a lot of women (me included) and it’s not always possible to take time off and advance your career. And there were literally thousands stuck in that mess in the metro DC area.