| It's that time of year again! Winter! It can be | | | | and antifreeze |
| enjoyable with all the outdoor recreational | | | | - Check the oil recommendations in your car's |
| opportunities it brings. It can also be dangerous | | | | owner manual |
| when severe winter storms come roaring in | | | | - Check the battery electrolyte level |
| bringing freezing temperatures, heavy snow, | | | | - Replace your windshield wiper blades with snow |
| strong winds and poor visibility. | | | | blades |
| Snowstorms occur regularly every winter | | | | - Keep a snowbrush/ice scraper in the car |
| throughout the northern hemisphere. Although the | | | | - Run the air to speed up window defogging (run |
| first snowfall can cover the world in a beautiful | | | | AC at least once/month) |
| blanket of sparkling white, as little as two inches | | | | - Stock up on windshield washer fluid and top off |
| (5 cm.) of snow is enough to create serious | | | | the washer tank regularly |
| problems for traffic. (Of course children absolutely | | | | - Buy good snow tires |
| love it when a "snow day" occurs and they are | | | | A few inexpensive items kept in your car during |
| forced to stay home.) | | | | winter months can increase safety and reduce |
| Blizzards, massive snowstorms with strong winds, | | | | misery. Your emergency kit should include items |
| make unplowed roads impassable and every | | | | that will assist you to get help, stay safe, and |
| winter many automobiles get stuck in the snow. | | | | keep warm. |
| Snowfalls exceeding 12 in. (30 cm.) can cave in | | | | A well-stocked emergency winter supply kit |
| roofs and cause the loss of power when lines are | | | | should contain: |
| broken from the accumulation of snow. Trees can | | | | - 72-hour emergency kit with water and high |
| also be brought down by the weight of wet or | | | | energy, non-perishable food (chocolate bars are |
| very dense snow and winds can form drifts | | | | good, especially with nuts) |
| many feet high from only a few inches of falling | | | | - First aid kit |
| snow. | | | | - Battery jumper cables |
| A few minutes worth of preparation can go a | | | | - Methyl hydrate (fuel line de-icing) |
| long way toward keeping you and your loved | | | | - Shovel and tow rope |
| ones safe and comfortable when winter rears its | | | | - Bag of sand and/or salt (kitty litter also works) |
| snowy head. Residents should keep emergency | | | | - Basic tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, pocket knife, |
| items on hand in their homes, including at least 3 - | | | | adjustable wrench) |
| 4 weeks worth of drinking water and canned and | | | | - Compass |
| or dry food. | | | | - Hatchet or axe |
| If there is a power outage: | | | | - Signal aids (flares, reflective triangle, distress |
| - Turn off appliances, tools and electronic | | | | sign, bright colored cloth) |
| equipment (protect sensitive electrical appliances | | | | - Windshield scraper with brush |
| with a surge-protected power bar) | | | | - Extra window washer fluid and a 5 gallon tank of |
| - Turn the thermostat(s) for the heating system | | | | gas |
| down to minimum | | | | - Flashlight and extra batteries, or candles and |
| - Turn off lights (leave one on to indicate power is | | | | matches/lighter (in a waterproof bag) |
| restored) | | | | - Crank radio (no batteries required) |
| - Only open the freezer or fridge when absolutely | | | | - Sleeping bags and/or blankets |
| necessary | | | | - Extra winter clothing - hats that cover the ears |
| - Never use barbecues, camping equipment, or | | | | (30 - 40% body heat is lost through the head), |
| home generators indoors - they give off carbon | | | | scarves, mittens (warmer than gloves), warm |
| monoxide | | | | socks, boots |
| - Use proper candle holders, out of reach of | | | | - Money (including telephone change ) |
| children. Never leave lit candles unattended - | | | | - Fully charged cell phone to call for assistance - |
| always extinguish candles before going to sleep | | | | have a power adapter, extra charged battery and |
| - If power wires are damaged or on the ground, | | | | car charger |
| stay at least 10 meters away and call your | | | | Store your emergency kit in the trunk if it is |
| electric company | | | | accessible from the inside of the car. If not, |
| - Listen to your radio for information on the | | | | consider carrying your emergency kit in a small |
| outage and advice from local authorities | | | | duffel bag and storing it in the passenger's |
| - Have a carbon monoxide detector in your home | | | | footwell. This is easily accessed by the driver and |
| - a hard-wired one should have a | | | | won't become a projectile in a collision. |
| battery-powered back-up | | | | Getting trapped in a blizzard on county roads |
| Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel. A | | | | seems plausible, but why do city drivers need an |
| break down or accident can be disastrous during | | | | emergency kit? In a large metropolis a big |
| harsh winter weather. If travel is unavoidable, | | | | snowstorm can block freeways and trap drivers. |
| always leave with a full tank of gas and a good | | | | It could take several hours to get traffic flowing |
| set of winter tires. Be sure to listen for weather | | | | again. Having an emergency kit can make the |
| updates on local radio stations. | | | | difference between potentially fatal hypothermia |
| There are a few things you can do to prepare | | | | and a long, boring but relatively comfortable wait. |
| your car for winter: | | | | Play it smart this winter. Be Prepared - Before |
| - Check the coolant for the proper mix of water | | | | Disaster Strikes! |