Prepare Your Vehicle
Proper vehicle maintenance is
the best thing you can do to avoid a winter weather breakdown. Before the start
of the season, take your car to a mechanic and ask for a tune up. Have your oil
changed, your fluids topped and tires rotated, if needed. Be sure to ask that
your windshield wipers be tested and replaced if necessary; the same goes for
your headlights, break lights and turning signals. Have your tires inflated to
their proper pressure to be sure they make optimal contact with the road and
provide superior traction.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Many of us have jumper cables
and an ice scraper in our vehicles, but that’s where our emergency kit stops.
Prepare a proper kit before the white stuff starts flying! Beyond the “normal”
items like long sleeve shirts, sweat pants, socks, bottled water, blanket,
flashlight, matches, flares, and jumper cables with extra long cables, you will
also want to include:
- Jumper cables with extra-long
cables
- Power, protein or granola
bars
- A travel charger for your
cell phone
- A candle
- An emergency flag or bright
piece of cloth to tie to your antenna
- A small or collapsible shovel
- An extra pair of boots or
shoes
- Reusable Hot Packs
- A Poncho (or two)
- A jackknife
Keep Your Car Clear
Don’t forget to clean out the
inside of the wheel wells and the rooftop of your car before heading to your
destination. During the winter, it’s not unusual to hear about car accidents
that are attributed to snow falling off of a vehicle’s roof.
Should you become stranded,
it’s very important that you keep your car clear of snow. If it is safe to exit
your vehicle, clear off your hood, roof and lights. Be sure that there is no
snow impacting your exhaust pipe and try to keep the area surrounding your
tires clear. Keeping your car clear will keep it visible to both rescue workers
and other drivers on the road.
Stay In Your Car
Other than leaving your vehicle
to clear it off, you should stay inside. Wandering away from your car in search
of help increases your risk of developing hypothermia. Even if you think that
you know the terrain, it is very easy, particularly in rural areas, to become
disoriented and lost in the snow. Sadly, people have died because they left
their car, became disoriented or too tired, and were not found until it was too
late. Don’t count on rescue workers being able to follow your foot tracks! Your
trail will quickly become obscured in a blizzard.
Communication
Almost everyone has a cell
phone today. In the event that you do not, consider purchasing a pre-paid phone
to keep in your car through the winter months. These phones are fairly
inexpensive and could save your life if you are stranded on the side of the
road. If you absolutely do not want a cell phone, you can consider installing a
CB radio in your vehicle or look into OnStar. They’re talking about a new
system that will be even smarter in the near future, with capabilities to alert
authorities if a car has been in an accident.
Remember, as the roads get
worse, the chances of someone driving by and seeing you lessen. Don’t depend on
someone to drive by and call for help for you. Without some type of
communication device in your car, you will not be able to phone for help should
you get stranded.
Back Up Help
As with any type of emergency,
the better prepared you are, the better your chances of escaping unharmed. Many
insurance companies are now offering roadside assistance for no extra charge.
Be sure to check with your auto insurance company about this extra, added, and
essential benefit. In addition, having access to a tow truck or a can of
gasoline can make all the difference when broken down on the side of the road.
Author Stephen Anderson, an insurance consultant, strongly suggests that you search online for Car Insurance Comparison Quotes to make certain you get the best deal available. Allstate Auto Insurance Discounts are just one example of the provider specials available for comparison.
