The Red Cross has some advice for travellers who do become stranded in winter conditions. They suggest motorists stay with their vehicles unless help is 100 yards away or less since it’s easy to get disoriented and lost in whiteout conditions.
Run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour to heat the car. (To avoid carbon monoxide build-up in the car, make sure your exhaust is not blocked with snow or ice, and that your window is open slightly while the car is on.) While your engine is running, leave the cabin light on to increase your vehicle’s visibility.
If there are other people in the vehicle, huddle together to conserve body heat. You can take turns sleeping, but be sure to wake the sleeping person, since drowsiness is one of the signs of hypothermia. If you’re alone, try to stay awake. Do some mild range of motion movements to keep your circulation going and to stay warm.
Run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour to heat the car. (To avoid carbon monoxide build-up in the car, make sure your exhaust is not blocked with snow or ice, and that your window is open slightly while the car is on.) While your engine is running, leave the cabin light on to increase your vehicle’s visibility.
If there are other people in the vehicle, huddle together to conserve body heat. You can take turns sleeping, but be sure to wake the sleeping person, since drowsiness is one of the signs of hypothermia. If you’re alone, try to stay awake. Do some mild range of motion movements to keep your circulation going and to stay warm.
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Earthquakes can happen anywhere and anytime. Many of us, particularly those on the West Coast, have been told to prepare for “the big one”. There’s no guarantee it will happen when we’re in our homes, so it’s a good idea to add some basics items to your car’s emergency kit:
- a pair of sturdy, comfortable walking shoes
- extra cash
- extra prescription medication
- solar or crank powered radio (available online)
We all may not have been trained by the Boy Scouts, but it’s a good idea to follow their lead. Being prepared may make the difference between putting up with a mild inconvenience and having to deal with a serious situation.