Winter Driving Tips!
Living in the Northeast requires a little finesse when venturing out so I thought these tips from the Connecticut Department of Public Safety should be repeated:
1) Winterize your car to keep it in top operating condition. This will also improve safety and fuel economy.
2) Keep your gas tank as full as possible, wiper blades and defroster in good working order.
3) Carry a fully charged cell phone. A CB Radio or a armature radio can be a very useful item in emergencies.
4) Use major routes for travel. Let someone know the route you are taking and when you plan to arrive.
5) A Winter Survival Kit is a must! Remember to leave a window slightly open if you use your cars' own heater as a heat source. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning can happen without the victim even being aware of it, until it is too late.
Winter Survival Kit Check List
Sleeping bags or several heavy blankets (wool) Coffee can with candles for heat
Coffee can with lid for sanitary needs Wool hats, gloves, socks & warm shoes
Flashlight with extra batteries Large box of facial tissue
First Aid Kit with pocket knife Shovel
Canned nuts, dried fruit & hard candy Weather radio with extra batteries
Small sack of sand or set of chains for tires Flares
Hypothermia Can Kill
When the body begins to lose heat faster than it can produce it, a condition called Hypothermia begins to develop.
The symptoms become very apparent and include those listed below
Uncontrollable shivering Vague, slow slurred speech
Memory lapses; incoherence Immobile, fumbling hands
Apparent exhaustion, inability to get up after rest Frequent stumbling
Protect Yourself and Your Family
Check the forecast and road conditions before you travel. Do Not travel unless absolutely necessary in bad weather.
Dress for the outdoor conditions, not for the warmth of the car.
Reduce your speed when traveling in winter weather.
If you become stranded in winter weather stay in your vehicle and don't try to walk to safety.
If stranded, run the motor for about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Open a window slightly for fresh air. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
If stranded, tie a colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna and turn on the dome light at night when the motor is running. This will make your vehicle more visible to rescuers.
If stranded, don't let all occupants sleep at the same time. Exorcise and stretch as best you can.
WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE & HAPPY 2010!
RE/MAX Professional Associates
Kathleen Chase, Realtor 860-942-9212
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This Blog Is Brought To You By: Kathleen Chase, Realtor RE/MAX Professional Associates |
Good stuff, but you should just do one for just driving tips. From what I've seen, there are drivers that need tips more than just in the winter time.
Good Stuff Kathleen, Thanks for sharing. I'm sure I and others can make good use of this information.
Great tips. It is always smart to keep some package food in the car along with a blanket or sleeping bag. Here on the east coast you maybe be stranded over night but not much longer than that. So stay put and keep warm.
Good information. You never know when the weather is going to turn. Always be prepared.
Hi Larry,
I hear you on that! Perhaps I'll do another one when the winter weather breaks in New England!
Anthony,
Thanks for stopping by! I found a lot of good tips here and thought I should share; hope it helps!
Joseph,
It seems when I was raising my kids I always had an arsenal of survival kits in my trunk but these days I think even I needed to be reminded.
Diane,
Thank you, here in CT we have been sitting around all weekend with it! I guess it's what got me thinking about preparation before it's too late!
Great post! Love the survival kit idea...not stuff you normally think of grabbing and keeping with you just incase.
Hi Kathleen,
I so thought of you as wrote this one up! with 4 small children you need a huge survival kit to accommodate you all! No, your right it's not something we think of but if you take the time to gather the items I'm sure at some point you'll be glad you did!
I wish I had seen this before winter hit us, Kathleen. It's good info for everyone in CT, especially on the western side of the state, where some people drive like crazy, even in the wintertime.
Helo William,
Yes we do have some crazy drivers in connecticut! You'll have to re-visit mypost before winter is back again for a refresher!
Thanks for checking it out!
Regards,
Kathy