Category: Weather Preparedness

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Winter is Back (again)

And this time with a dose of black ice. Even a short drive can be hazardous. While making my way home last night I witnessed way too many accidents. Here’s a few tips to remember (and share) about driving on icy roads.

  • Leave enough room between you and other vehicles. Ice can cause your vehicle to lose traction quickly, so it’s important to slow down and increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react and stop; especially going downhill.
  • Avoid sudden moves. When driving on ice, sudden movements can cause your vehicle to lose control, so avoid sudden braking, accelerating, or turning.
  • Use low gear when driving downhill. It helps keep the car from picking up excessive speed. When going uphill, use low gear to help you maintain control and avoid slipping.
  • Remember too, that cruise control can cause your vehicle to accelerate, or brake, too quickly on icy roads, leading to loss of control.
  • Turn off the radio and listen so that you’re aware of the conditions and if your tires are spinning on the ice.
  • Watch the road closely and be aware of any icy patches, black ice, stopped vehicles or other hazards that may be present.
  • And please make sure that your tires have the recommended amount of tread for your area and the current conditions. If in doubt, don’t go out.
  • Keep and emergency kit in your car. See below for suggested items.

If you must be out in dangerous conditions, consider taking the steps below to prepare yourself with a portable kit containing the items below. For a full list of these items, with links to purchase them online, go to https://www.stepsfortoday.com/items-mentioned-in-posts/#AutoEmergencyKit/.

As always, thanks for reading. Please like and share (especially this one)!
And remember to take the next step…
Mitch

P.S. And remember, don’t crowd the plow! They’ve got a lot going on; in very bad conditions. Don’t ever assume they see your car, or you on foot.

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Emergency Car Kit

The current weather conditions in much of the United States make it dangerous to be outdoors for even a few minutes without proper protection. With the impending addition of icy streets, and the inevitable accidents and road closures, it is more important than ever to have an emergency kit in the car which contains provisions to mitigate these risks to our, and our families, health and life.

If you must be out in dangerous conditions, consider taking the steps below to prepare yourself with a portable kit containing the items below. For a full list of these items, with links to purchase them online, go to https://www.stepsfortoday.com/items-mentioned-in-posts/#AutoEmergencyKit/.

• It’s always a good practice to let others know your route and schedule.
• Keep your cars fuel tank topped-off in case you are stuck in snow or traffic and avoid ice forming in the tank.
• Keep your cell phone fully charged.
• Cell phone chargers and backup power supplies
• Rechargeable flashlights and/or battery operated lighting with replacement batteries
• Solar and/or hand-crank recharging devices with a USB output port
• Ice scraper with a brush. Clear snow and ice from windows, lights, the hood, and the roof before driving
• Can of De-Icer
• Jumper cables
• Tire inflator which uses the cigarette lighter
• A small shovel for removing snow or mud from in front of the tires
• Salt for melting ice and traction
• Warm blankets or a sleeping bag in case the car is stranded and fuel is in short supply.
• Boots, hats, and gloves in case the car is stranded and you must walk to safety.
• Chemically activated hand and toe warmers. HotHands makes these small enough to fit in your pocket. They have a 3 year shelf life and they last 10 and 8 hours respectively when opened.
• Food and water. Place some nuts and/or snack bars in a metal container, such as a cookie tin, to keep rodents from finding them.
• Matches and/or lighters
• Fire extinguisher
• Water-tight, puncture-resistant, trash bags (in case they’re needed for sanitation).
• A lidded plastic container big enough to hold most of this (and the plastic bags after use).

More information regarding winter preparation can be found at  www.StepsForToday.com and https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/.

Thanks again for the thoughts and suggestions; they really do help everyone who reads the blog!

As always, thanks for reading.

And remember to take the next step…

Mitch

P.S. And remember, don’t crowd the plow! They’ve got a lot going on; in very bad conditions. Don’t ever assume they see your car, or you on foot.

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Emergency Prep for the Car

After receiving some feedback on my prior blog post, I thought it a good idea to give focus on preparing your car for bad weather, or being stranded on the road.

In the last few years, the mid-west has seen a return of some nasty winter weather. Maybe it’s been too long since the drivers in our area have had to deal with ice and snow. Or maybe they are now more distracted. Whatever the reason, in the last few years we’ve seen some terrible accidents and hours-long highway closures; some even overnight. Here are some steps you can take today to prepare for such an event as we head into the worst of winter.

The car itself:
• Keep the fuel tank full. An engine can run for hours at idle and the extra weight also helps with traction.
• Check your oil. I’ve known many people who have ruined their engines by running them dry of oil. If you’ve got a leaky engine, keep oil in your car in case you are stranded and must keep the engine running to stay warm.
• Check your tire tread. I’ve seen way too many people stuck in the snow only because their tires were too worn to move snow. I get it. New tires aren’t cheap. But knowing their condition will help when deciding to go out or not.
• While you’re there, check your tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires lessen their effectiveness in the snow (and decrease the lifespan of the tire).
• Have your battery checked. Winter is hard on car batteries and lessens their cranking power. A weakened battery may fail to start your car when it’s cold. Some auto parts stores will check your battery for free; while it’s still in the car.
• Get the antifreeze checked. Having low, or improperly mixed, antifreeze can ruin your car’s engine. Make sure it has a full amount of properly mixed antifreeze.
• Tire chains if you live in an area with frequent, deep snows

In the car:
• It’s always a good practice to let others know your route and schedule.
• Keep your cell phone fully charged.
• Cell phone chargers and backup power supplies
• Rechargeable flashlights and/or battery operated lighting with replacement batteries
• Solar and/or hand-crank recharging devices with a USB output port
• Ice scraper with a brush. Clear snow and ice from windows, lights, the hood, and the roof before driving
• Can of De-Icer
• Jumper cables
• Tire inflator which uses the cigarette lighter
• A small shovel for removing snow or mud from in front of the tires
• Salt for melting ice and traction
• Warm blankets or a sleeping bag in case the car is stranded and fuel is in short supply.
• Boots, hats, and gloves in case the car is stranded and you must walk to safety.
• Chemically activated hand and toe warmers. HotHands makes these small enough to fit in your pocket. They have a 3 year shelf life and they last 10 and 8 hours respectively when opened.
• Food and water. Place some nuts and/or snack bars in a metal container, such as a cookie tin, to keep rodents from finding them.
• Matches and/or lighters
• Fire extinguisher
• Water-tight, puncture-resistant, trash bags (in case they’re needed for sanitation).
• A lidded plastic container big enough to hold most of this (and the plastic bags after use).

More information regarding winter preparation can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/features/winterweather/index.html.

Thanks again for the thoughts and suggestions; they really do help everyone who reads the blog!

As always, thanks for reading.
And remember to take the next step…
Mitch

P.S. And remember, don’t crowd the plow! They’ve got a lot going on; in very bad conditions. Don’t ever assume they see your car, or you on foot.

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Winter Prep 101

It’s that time of year again. The forecast is for freezing nights. And here in the Midwest, we all know it’s just a matter of time until we can expect some dangerously cold and slick weather.  So today we’ll focus on taking some proactive steps to reduce the hazards for ourselves and our loved ones. Let’s take a quick look around our house for what we can do.

In the home:

  • Replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. Install carbon monoxide detectors in areas with heaters or appliance that burn fuel.
  • Schedule a furnace checkup, especially if one hasn’t been done in a while
  • Make sure there is a fully charged fire extinguisher readily available.
  • Purchase small electric space heaters to help heat areas with plumbing just in case there is a furnace problem. If you must use an extension cord with a space heater, make sure to get a 12/3 (12 gauge/3 prongs) grounded cord. Never use a light duty cord with a heating device.
  • Solar and/or hand-crank recharging devices with a USB output port
  • Have a flashlight in a known location with fresh batteries. There are now flashlights that can recharge through a USB port.
  • Cell phone chargers and backup power supplies
  • Battery operated or hand-crank radio with replacement batteries
  • Ensure that important documents, information, and heirlooms are stored in a protected location.

Outside the home:

  • Check to make sure outside water faucets and completely off and not dripping. Any leak at all will allow the water to freeze all the way up into the pipe and cause it to burst.
  • Snow shovel and/or blower
  • Salt or ice melt already in containers that are manageable by everyone who might need to use it
  • Backup power supply for medical equipment with fuel for at least 7 days
    • Periodically start and run fuel powered generators
    • Refresh fuel supplies as needed and add fuel stabilizer to gasoline supplies.

In the car:

  • Ice scraper
  • Car charges for phones
  • Flashlight with batteries or charger
  • A small shovel for removing snow or mud from in front of the tires
  • Salt for melting ice and traction
  • Tire chains if you live in an area with frequent, deep snows
  • Warm blankets in case the car is stranded and fuel is in short supply
  • Boots, hats, and gloves in case the car is stranded and you must walk to safety
  • Fuel up automobiles when dangerous weather is forecasted. Especially if they may be needed for evacuation
  • A plastic container big enough to hold all of this

Helping others:

  • Create a plan with a team of family, friends, or neighbors to check on each other during bad weather.
    • Write down a list of conditions for which a check-in should be expected
  • Help your neighbors with snow removal and taking out the trash and morning paper.
  • Leave behind some salt or ice melt already in containers that are manageable by everyone who might need to use it

An Emergency Kit

  • You may want to create and emergency kit containing a minimum of 7 days of resources, depending on the threats in your area. In addition to the above items, it should contain:
    • A team of people who will check-in with each other when the weather turns hazardous
    • Food and water, emergency medical and sanitation supplies, and prescription medications
    • Propane or solar powered refrigerator for medications which must be kept cool
    • Hand operated can opener
    • Matches and/or lighters
    • Rechargeable flashlights and/or battery operated lighting with replacement batteries
    • Alternative heat source such as a kerosene heater or fireplace-ONLY if you know its proper use indoors to avoid the dangers of poisonous gases
    • Make a routine to check your kit and team to make sure their still up to the task. This is as easy as writing a reminder on your calendar to review your plan.
      • Review kit contents twice a year and replace kit batteries
      • Monthly check that battery-powered backup power supplies still hold their charge

Although everyone is exposed to these dangers, we all know someone who is at a greater risk when bad weather comes their way. Please share this message with them. Or better yet, assist them in preparation of their emergency plan and in finding someone who can check on them. Having the reassurance that someone will think of them when bad weather occurs will undoubtedly provide some peace of mind.  And too….some of this would make excellent Christmas presents.

I’m always looking for suggestions and feedback. Please take a moment to suggest any items that you believe should be on this list. And please share this list with anyone highly vulnerable to the effects of bad weather.

As always, thanks for reading.
And remember to take the next step…
Mitch

More information regarding disaster preparedness can be found at https://www.ready.gov and http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm.

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Winter is Around the Corner

Well it seems as though it’s going to be a typical fall in St. Louis; last week it was 90, this week it’s 45. Saint Louisans will tell you, fall is short here…winter is around the corner. And although winters here are not as brutal as those up north, there is still enough dangerous cold and icy weather to warrant a quick safety checkup.

Here are some steps to take in preparation for winter:

The Furnace – As the cold nights set in, we eventually will switch the furnace on to ward away those cold chills. Whether gas, electric, or wood heat, check your smoke detectors to ensure that they’re in working order. I know most of us replace the batteries when we set our clocks as daylight savings time switches back and forth, but it is a good idea to give them a test when you switch on the heat. If you’re not using electricity to heat your home, you should definitely have carbon monoxide detectors in your home as well, especially near the furnace or other source of heat. It’s also a great idea to purchase a couple of electric space heaters just in case your furnace has a problem during freezing temperatures. Even if you decide to leave home. A couple of space heaters may be enough to keep pipes from freezing in the kitchen or bathroom. Remember too, never use outdoor heating or cooking equipment indoors. Every year it seems there are lives lost to fire and carbon monoxide poisoning because of this bad decision.

Food and water – If there is a major storm, why risk having to go out of the house for food and water. Or this area, I recommend keeping at least a week’s supply of water and food that needs no cooking or refrigeration. It doesn’t have to be gourmet, just edible and safely stored.

Light and backup electricity – Sure, we’d all like to have a backup generator in our home. But they’re just a wee bit expensive. What we can have instead, is a couple of fully charged flashlights, backup batteries or rechargeable battery packs, and solar chargers. I recommend getting a small 12V rechargeable battery pack at the discount store. You can find these in either the home electronics or automotive section (some of these store enough power to start your car). Most of these come with a charger that plugs into household current and have a USB port on them for charging phones and such. If you leave it plugged in, it will be fully charged when the power goes out. Likewise, there are small solar panels available which have USB ports on them to charge small battery operated appliances such as phones or USB powered LED lights. And of course, it wouldn’t be a complete list without recommending a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio.

Keeping outdoors safe – Make sure you’re ready for snow and ice but refreshing your supply of ice melt and checking that you still have a shovel handy. Also, make sure your outdoor faucets aren’t leaking at all. Any leaks will eventually freeze and burst the pipe indoors. Not a problem…..until it thaws.

Automobiles – Along with the flashlight, tire inflator, booster cables, and road flares you should already have in your car, prepare your automobile for a winter emergency by loading it with a warm blanket, boots, gloves, and a hat. Throw in an ice scraper, ice melt, sand or cat litter (for traction), and a small shovel just in case we get another snow like ’82. We also try to have a few small bags of necessities such as gloves, hats, snacks and heat packs handy to hand to anyone who looks like they might need it.

An additional resource for winter preparedness can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/features/winterweather/index.html

One last thing, for some of us winter weather represents a hazardous mobility challenge. So remember to check up on those family and friends who may need a little assistance or just a friend to talk to during the inclement weather.

Thanks for reading,
And remember to take the next step…
Mitch