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Winter Vehicle Safety
Preparing your vehicle for winter and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe driving in winter conditions. For a few dollars and about an hour of time and imagination, it's possible to reduce risks and survive.

Vehicle Preparation

To prepare your vehicle for winter driving, have a mechanic check the following:
  • Battery
  • Antifreeze
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Ignition system
  • Thermostat
  • Headlights, taillights, side marker lights
  • Hazard warning system
  • Exhaust system
  • Heater
  • Brakes
  • Defroster
  • Tires
  • Oil and all other fluid levels

Winter Emergency Kit

There are many vehicle emergency kits available in retail stores, ranging in price from $20 to $50, but you can easily put one together yourself, using items you probably have stashed in your kitchen cupboards, medicine cabinet and garage. A large coffee can and a plastic household container, an old tool box, or even a cardboard box can be used to store items. Just make sure everything is wrapped in plastic to keep moisture out.
  • Long-burning emergency candles and water proof matches. (The heat from one candle can provide enough warmth to keep you alive)
  • Plastic garbage bags (for sanitation and/or warmth)
  • Flashlights (remember to install fresh batteries every three months)
  • Tin or glass cup (to melt snow in for water)
  • Pocket or utility knife
  • Bandages, gauze, scissors, aspirins, tape
  • Extra socks, mittens, wool cap
  • A "Call Police" sign or brightly coloured cloth to signal for help
  • Tea and sugar packets
  • Packaged dry goods (melba toast, crackers, chocolate bars)
  • Canned fruit, nuts, meat (don't forget a can opener)
  • Flares and/or other reflective warning signs
  • Blankets
  • Bottled water
  • Snow scrapper, small shovel
  • Tool: Make up a small set that includes an assortment of screwdrivers, wrenches and a set of vice grip pliers
  • Small sack or covered pail of sand for traction, or a traction mat
  • Booster cables
  • A cellular phone: It's relatively inexpensive and invaluable in emergencies, although ther is no guarantee help will get to you quickly during a major storm

Survival Tips

If you become trapped in a car during a winter storm, here are some tips that will help you survive:
  • Stay in the vehicle - it's the only shelter and protection you have. Don't leave unless help is visible because you may easily become disoriented in blowing and drifting snow.
  • Turn on the vehicles four-way flashers, but be sure not to leave them on too long and run the battery dead.
  • Occasionally run your engine for warmth - about 10 minutes every half-hour - but beware of carbon monoxide poisoning; keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and open a window (down wind) slightly for fresh air.
  • Display a trouble sign or a flag on the vehicle's antenna or raise the hood.
  • Use candles carefully for heat and light.
  • Do light exercises; try not to stay in one position too long. Avoid over-exertion.
  • For warmth, huddle together and use each other's body heat.
  • Use newspapers, floor mats and garbage bags for added insulation.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its victims. A loss of feeling and a white pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose and earlobes are symptoms of frostbite.

Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 13 degrees. Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness and exhaustion.

Treatment
If Frostbite or Hypothermia is suspected begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure.

Put the person in dry clothing and wrap the entire body in a blanket.

Never give a Frostbite or Hypothermia victim caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine, stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten ill effects of cold body temperatures.

By Mike Roelofsen
Former Ontario Provincial Police Officer
 
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