Preparing
for Winter Travel
By
B. Dear
As winter approaches and weather
becomes colder and less pleasant, it might be a good idea to
start thinking about winter travel safety. Here are some tips
to ensure a safe trip.
- Prepare
a winter safety kit for your vehicle to include: Blankets, first aid
kit, flares, car battery charger, a small
shovel (I like the foldable e-tool style that the military uses),
jumper cables, an ice scraper and brush, a halogen flashlight, and some
type of traction enhancer (this could be sand, kitty litter, or salt.)
Store these items in your trunk.
- Keep
non-perishable food and a gallon jug of water in the car in case you
get stranded for an extended period of time.
- Keep
enough warm clothing in the car to keep you warm without running the
car. That way, if your car breaks down and you can't start it, you
won't freeze to death before help
arrives.
- Keep
your cell phone with you and keep it charged. Make sure you
have the necessary equipment to charge it in the car if you have to.
- To
unfreeze locks that have been frozen, dip a key in rubbing alcohol or
heat it up before inserting it into the lock. Do this slowly to prevent
breaking the key off in the lock.
- If
your windshield is frozen with ice, do not use boiling water to thaw
it. The rapid temperature change will likely cause the windshield to
crack. (This
actually happened to me once.)
- Clear
snow and ice from windows, lights, mirrors and hood before driving.
Using the "port hole" method of windshield clearing is not recommended
by this author or
endorsed.
- Keep
your gas tank between half-full and full.
- Have
your car battery, charging system, coolant and washer fluid, and belts
checked for performance. Be sure to check the condition of the
windshield wiper
blades.
- Slow
down. It is always better to be late than to be hurt in a car accident.
Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians.
- Bring
tennis shoes with you for your walk from the car to work. They usually
work better than dress shoes and that way, you won't mess up
your good
ones with salt, etc.
- Let
your car warm up before driving.
- In
a
snowstorm, leave plenty of braking space between you and the car in
front of you. Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility
and try to drive in the ruts left by the cars in front of you.
- Pump
your brakes when driving on ice. Slamming on the brakes to stop only
makes you slide.
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