If you live in Western New York, you know that winters can be brutal. The following are tips that you can use to stay safe in the winter weather:
- Stay inside during the storm. Be aware of the forecast during the winter, you don’t want to end up stuck in a blizzard. If you must travel during a winter advisory, let someone know where you are going, and what time you expect to arrive in case of an emergency. Drive slowly and be alert.
- Prepare your car. Get your car prepared for emergencies like getting stranded in a winter storm. Pack blankets, portable chargers, flares, sand or cat litter for traction, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, food and water, a shovel, and the like. Make sure you keep your gas tank and other fluids full, your car serviced, and your tires replaced with all-weather or snow tires. Have a number of a towing company saved in your phone or accessible in your vehicle.
- Dress properly and know the signs of cold-related injuries. Know what frostbite and symptoms of hypothermia look like. Watch out for loss of feeling and pale appearance of extremities, as well as symptoms such as shivering, disorientation or memory problems, slurred speech, and drowsiness.
- Know what to do if you become trapped in your car. Do not run your engine and heat for more than ten minutes per hour, move around to maintain your body heat, and remain inside unless safety is within very close proximity.