February has been a crazy month! We’re on track to breaking Minnesota’s record for the snowiest February ever. With the winter storms they are predicting to come through in the next week I think it’s a good idea to go over some tips on what to do if you find yourself stranded in your car during inclement weather. First and foremost, make sure you have taken your vehicle in for its routine maintenance at your local dealership. Having a maintained vehicle can make a difference on being standard or not.
But if you find yourself stranded during inclement weather here are a few tips to help you until help arrives.
Stay in Your Vehicle
Never leave your vehicle. If it’s snowing or a blizzard, you can quickly become disorientated once outside of the vehicle. You are safest inside your vehicle and letting help find you rather than going out looking for help.
Keep Warm
Look around your car and take an inventory of what you have that can help keep you warm. Extra clothes? Put them on. Layers help keep your body heat in. You can also start your car from time to time to warm up but remember to keep your windows cracked and check to make sure your tailpipe is clear from snow.
Move Around
Keep your blood flowing and generate a little body heat by moving around INSIDE your vehicle. I have an SUV, there’s plenty of room if I put the back seat down to move around and keep my blood flowing. Even in small cars, there’s still plenty of room to wave your arms or move your legs around to keep the blood flowing.
Make Sure You Are Visible
Remember that inventory I told you to take? If you have a red scarf or shirt be sure to tie to your antenna or stick it out the window so people going by can see you. If you have road flares put them out. Once the snow stops you can pop your hood and put it up to signal duress.
Call for Help
If you have a cell phone be sure to call and give your location to the police. If the storm is taking out your signal, power down your phone until the storm passes to help preserve your battery. Try again when the storm lessens. Also, before you leave home be sure to let someone know where you are going, your route and time frame so that if you do not make it back on time they know where to start looking for you.
But the best piece of advice I can give is to stay home and off the roads if inclement weather is predicted for your area.
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