Winter is the season of fireplaces, snowmen, and sledding. It’s also the coldest time of the year, which brings unique challenges. We want everyone to stay safe, so we’ve compiled a list of safety tips for winter so you aren’t caught twisting in the winter wind when an accident or issue arises.
Preparing Your Car for Winter Weather
Some of the biggest dangers in winter come from conditions on the road. Ice buildup, snowstorms, harsh winds; the list goes on and on. Preparing your vehicle is paramount to keeping you and your family safe when heading out, even for something as small as a trip to the grocery store. Our top vehicle winter safety tips are:
Check your tires. If you have all-weather or snow tires and know a rough patch of weather is coming, swap them out. Check the air in your tires too, as cold weather reduces your tire pressure, which leads to flat tires if you aren’t careful.
If you can help it, don’t let your gas tank get too low. This prevents ice from building up in the engine and fuel lines, so your car is easier to start in colder weather.
Check your windshield wiper fluid and ensure it is capable of de-icing. Before the weather gets too cold, swap your wiper fluid out with cold weather-capable fluid to prevent it from freezing.
Create an emergency cold weather kit that can be used in an emergency. This should include a blanket, first aid kit, jumper cables, ice scraper and snow brush, spare tires, a cell phone charger, and sand or salt. These cold weather precautions give you peace of mind and get you ready for any potential problem you could encounter on the road.
Safety Tips for Winter Driving
Once you’ve prepared your vehicle for the road, it’s time to head out and get some groceries, visit family and friends, or go to work. However, you have to prioritize safety. The Department of Transportation reports that over 116,000 people are injured each year in vehicle crashes due to cold weather conditions. To keep you safe on your commute, we have a few snow safety tips to follow in case the weather takes a turn:
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. This helps you avoid collisions or traction issues by giving you more time to prepare. The roads are going to be slick, so tread carefully.
Don’t use cruise control. This takes away some of the control you have over your vehicle and adds one more step to your driving experience. If you hit a patch of ice, you can’t slow down as quickly and could potentially get into an accident.
If you hit a patch of ice, steer in the direction you’re drifting. This way, once you regain traction, you don’t instantly lurch back into another lane and potentially cause an issue. Don’t slam on the brakes either, rather ease off the accelerator to begin naturally slowing down while you focus on steering.
Give more room to others. You never know who is going to encounter an issue on the road given the snow and ice, so give yourself more space between you and other drivers to stay on the safe side.
Winter Storm Safety Tips for Home
If you’re getting ready to hunker down and bundle up for a long freeze, you should check around your home and make sure everything is in order. Keep your family safe with a few cold weather precautions, like:
Check your heating system. Depending on how old your home is, some areas may be poorly insulated or can’t hold heat well. Check that heat still circulates the home easily when the system is on and that every room retains the heat well.
Shovel your walkways. Ice builds up quickly after snowfall as the snow slowly melts down. To prevent this and keep you and others safe, clear away the snow from common walkways. The less you have to walk through the snow or watch for ice, the better.
Keep an emergency kit at home that has flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, candles, baby supplies (if you have a baby), and a first aid kit.
Speaking of candles, keep an eye on any lit candles around the house so they don’t start an accidental fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles are the second leading cause of house fires across the country each year. Keep them lit in rooms you can observe easily and put them out when it’s bedtime.
Check your fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Cold weather can cause complications with internal systems in your home, so giving these tools fresh batteries will keep you safe in the colder months.
Always Charge Your Phone
It hardly needs to be said because of how much we use our phones, but ensure it’s charged before you go anywhere in winter weather conditions for any length of time. You never know when a storm could blow through, an ice slick could appear, or an accident could occur.
You don’t want to end up on the side of the road with a dead phone. You may end up waiting hours for someone to come by and assist. Do yourself a favor and prepare for any situation by charging your phone. It’s your lifeline in case of an emergency and should be treated like it.
Preparing for Winter and Staying Safe
Life comes at you fast. Anything can happen when the weather takes a turn, from taking your car off the road to trapping you inside your house. Snow can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. If you need any inspections or permits to prep for winter, Wright City Fire Protection District can help. If you encounter a situation that requires professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out. Take the time to prepare yourself and your family for cold weather conditions and you’ll never need to worry. Stay safe out there and enjoy the new year!
Commentaires