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Providing quality water to Northeast Ohio since 1897
Author: April Schroeder
It was the winter of 2011 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Lauren Weinberg had left her mother’s house four hours before she found herself trapped in a snowdrift while driving her small sedan. She had no coat or water, and her cellphone battery was dead. Lauren shivered violently in her car as an additional two feet of snow piled around her. For ten days she survived on candy bars and melted snow with miraculously few injuries.
What she did right was stay in her vehicle. However, Ms. Weinberg could have had a much easier go of it had she been prepared. If nothing else, she would have at least been more comfortable until help arrived if she had a well-stocked winter car emergency kit. It can mean the difference between a quick rescue and a terrifying experience, lost toes and an immediate return to comfort. But, the truth is, very few of us have an emergency roadside kit in our cars. Cleveland grit is one thing but, life-threatening winter conditions are another, it is better to be as prepared as you can!
To prepare, create a winter roadside emergency kit checklist that is tailored to your given geographic conditions. Since it is December and we are in the snow belt, that is our focus for this example.
Water is a troublesome item to store in your emergency roadside kit. The temperature variations in your car will cause problems for any form of H2O. Bottled water should not be kept in extremely high temperatures, and it doesn’t take a genius to know, it will freeze when it is cold.
To maintain a proper amount of water safely in your winter car emergency kit, you will need to rotate the product regularly (your supply should be replaced every three months. An excellent way to remember this is to pair it with your oil change). Store the water in your trunk to avoid the greenhouse effect caused by your windshield and the high temperatures that come with it. Finally, place your water supply in an insulated cooler or wrap it in a mylar blanket.
When fall rolls around, you should have your mechanic perform a winterization on your vehicle. It’s an essential part of winter roadside safety to make sure your car can handle the cold months. Be sure that he or she includes the following:
There are several actions you should and should not take in the event of a roadside stranding. First and foremost, you should stay with your vehicle. The horrific story of the Kim family proves why. Mrs. Kim and her two daughters survived unscathed in uninhabited Oregon country for nine days. Her husband sadly, met his demise via hypothermia as he attempted to find help on foot. Stay. With. Your. Car. It’s the main rule in winter roadside safety.
Next, make your car as visible as possible. Use any creative means you can think of to make your vehicle stand out. Reflectors, bright ribbons, flares, a mylar blanket, and an open hood are all ideas that can help you get spotted sooner.
Using your car heater comes with the risks of killing the battery and carbon monoxide poisoning. If you feel that it is necessary, turn it on for a few minutes at a time. Just make sure that your tailpipe is clear of snow and crack your windows slightly.
Before using your heater, try these ideas to keep warm:
Being prepared for winter woes is a no-brainer in our neck of the woods, but, for some reason, we fail to act. I think it is the, “it won’t happen syndrome”. I am certain that Lauren Weinberg and the Kim family thought the same thing. I promise that you will never regret creating a winter car emergency kit checklist or practicing basic winter roadside safety. Better safe than sorry!
While you have little control over what the weather will bring, Distillata offers a more efficient way to protect your home or business from snow and ice. Get rock salt delivered right to your door. See how our Morton ice salt can keep you safe during the unforgiving Cleveland winter.
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