It’s that time of year again! Winter! It can be enjoyable with all the outdoor recreational opportunities it brings. It can also be dangerous when severe winter storms roar in and bring freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, high winds and poor visibility.
Snow storms occur regularly each winter throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Although the first snowfall can cover the world in a beautiful blanket of brilliant white, as little as two inches (5 cm) of snow is enough to create serious traffic problems. (Of course, kids love it when a “snow day” happens and they’re forced to stay indoors.)
blizzardsMassive snowstorms with high winds make unplowed roads impassable and each winter many cars get trapped in the snow. Snowfall greater than 12 in. (30 cm.) can collapse on roofs and cause loss of power when lines are broken by snow accumulation. Trees can also be blown over by the weight of wet or very dense snow, and winds can form drifts many feet high from just a few inches of falling snow.
A few minutes of preparation can go a long way toward keeping you and your loved ones safe and comfortable when winter rears its snowy head. Residents should have emergency supplies on hand in their homes, including at least 3-4 weeks’ worth of drinking water and canned and/or dried food.
If there is a power outage:
- Turn off appliances, tools, and electronic equipment (protect sensitive appliances with a surge-protected power bar)
- Turn down the heating system thermostat(s) to minimum
- Turn off lights (leave one on to indicate power is restored)
- Open the freezer or fridge only when absolutely necessary
- Never use grills, camping equipment, or home generators indoors, as they emit carbon monoxide.
- Use suitable candle holders, out of the reach of children. Never leave burning candles unattended; always blow out candles before going to sleep.
- If power cables are damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters away and call your power company.
- Listen to your radio for outage information and advice from local authorities.
- Have a carbon monoxide detector in your home; a hardwired one must have a battery backup.
Motorists should avoid unnecessary trips. A breakdown or an accident can be disastrous during the harsh winter. If the trip is unavoidable, always go out with a full tank of gas and a good set of winter tires. Be sure to listen to local radio stations for weather updates.
There are a few things you can do to winterize your car:
- Check that the coolant has the proper mixture of water and antifreeze
- Check your car’s owner’s manual for oil recommendations.
- Check battery electrolyte level
- Replace your windshield wiper blades with snow blades
- Keep a snow brush/ice scraper in the car
- Run the air to speed up window defogging (use the air conditioner at least once a month)
- Stock up on windshield washer fluid and fill the windshield washer tank regularly
- Buy good snow tires
A few inexpensive items stored in your car during the winter months can increase safety and reduce misery. Your emergency kit should include items that will help you get help, stay safe, and stay warm.
A well-stocked winter emergency supply kit should contain:
- 72-hour emergency kit with water and high-energy non-perishable foods (chocolate bars are good, especially with nuts)
- First aid box
- battery jumper cables
- Methyl Hydrate (Fuel Line Thaw)
- shovel and tow rope
- Bag of sand and/or salt (cat litter works too)
- Basic tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, utility knife, adjustable wrench)
- Compass
- gold ax shaft
- Signals for help (flares, reflective triangle, distress signal, brightly colored cloth)
- Windshield scraper with brush
- Extra windshield washer fluid and a 5-gallon gas tank
- Flashlight and extra batteries, or candles and matches/lighter (in a waterproof bag)
- Hand crank radio (no batteries needed)
- Sleeping bags and/or blankets
- Extra winter clothing: hats that cover the ears (30-40% of body heat is lost through the head), scarves, mittens (warmer than gloves), warm socks, boots
- Money (including change of phone)
- Fully charged cell phone to request assistance: have a power adapter, an extra charged battery and a car charger
Store your emergency kit in the trunk if it is accessible from inside the car. Otherwise, consider packing your emergency kit in a small duffel bag and storing it in the passenger footwell. This is easily accessible to the driver and will not become a projectile in the event of a collision.
Getting stuck in a blizzard on county roads seems plausible, but why do city drivers need an emergency kit? In a large metropolis, a major snowstorm can block highways and trap drivers. It may take several hours for traffic to flow again. Having an emergency kit can mean the difference between life-threatening hypothermia and a long, boring but relatively comfortable wait.
Play smart this winter. Be prepared – before disaster strikes!
