Preparation tips

• Keep posted on weather conditions.
• Listen to local TV and radio for updates.
• Prepare for isolation at home.
• Use lights for heat if the furnace goes out.
• Do not use gas cooking stoves.
• Stay indoors. Overexertion such as snow - shoveling is a major cause of winter storm deaths.
• Dress in warm layers.
• Have your automobile checked and serviced for winter driving.
• Travel in a convoy if possible.
• Travel only if necessary, and then only in daylight on major roads.
• Do not travel alone. Two or three persons are preferred. Let someone know your schedule and destination.
• Keep gas tank above half - full at all times.
• If you get stuck and cannot get your car out, do not try to walk to find help. Stay in your car. It is the best protection you have in a bad storm. Tie a bright colored flag to your antenna.

Most people stay warmest in cold weather in layered clothing. Layered clothing means starting off with a close - fitting garment to retain body heat. Add a warm shirt or maybe a sweater or light weight jacket. Top it all off with a weatherproof outer garment that is tightly woven and water resistant.

Be prepared with a cap or scarf to cover your head and face. Approximately ninety per cent of the body heat can be lost through an uncovered head with short or no hair.

If clothing gets wet, change as quickly as possible, since wet clothing looses all of its insulating value.

Coffee Cans Are Handy

Also, it is important to have a storm kit in each of your family's cars. Start with a sleeping bag or a couple of blankets. Add two empty 3 pound coffee cans with lids. Use one for sanitary facilities, the other to burn candles for heat. Put candles and matches inside the coffee can, and remember, leave a window slightly open when they are burning.

Put nonperishable food in one of the coffee cans. Include things such as candy, nuts, dried fruit and beef jerky. Add a large mug to gather snow for drinking, both kids and adults get thirsty if stuck in a storm.

Pack Extra Mittens

Some other items to have in your winter survival kit:

• Extra winter clothing such as mittens, overshoes, caps.
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• Shovel and small sack of sand.
• Battery booster cables.
• Portable radio with extra batteries.
• First-aid kit with pocket knife.
• Red flag or bandanna to tie to the antenna.
• Extra windshield scraper.
• If available, your mobile phone.

Do Not Attempt Walking

If your vehicle becomes stuck in a storm, do not attempt to walk as it is easy to become disoriented and lost. Avoid over exertion and exposure. Exertion from attempting to push your car or shoveling heavy drifts may cause health problems, even for persons who appear to be in good physical condition.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning and run the engine and heater sparingly and only with a down wind window open for ventilation, Check the exhaust pipe and clear it of snow occasionally.
 

Can you see the antenna? - - - - - - - See the antenna now?

Identify correct vehicle! - - - - - - View from opened road.

If extreme blizzard conditions exist, continually be aware of the amount of snow building up around your vehicle. Evacuate your vehicle only at the last possible time to avoid suffocation. In true blizzard conditions, the human body can exist only for a very short period of time, and so one must seek shelter immediately. If you become lost or disoriented while walking, follow a fence.

Clap hands for exercise

Exercise by clapping your hands and moving arms and legs vigorously form time to time. Turn on the dome light at night to make your car more visible.

Prepare your car's winter storm survival kit now. If you wait until you need it, you are too late. If a trip across town has proven to be a survival mission under the right circumstances. Get prepared NOW!!