Winter Safety Tips
|
 |
Winter Driving Tips
Winter driving in North Dakota can be unpredictable. The following four precautions may help you avoid an unpleasant or dangerous situation when traveling.
ONE: Winterize your vehicle to keep it in top operating condition. This will also improve safety and fuel economy.
TWO: Keep your gasoline tank full. This will minimize water in the tank and will provide the maximum advantage in case of trouble.
|
THREE: A cell phone, CB radio, or amateur radio can be a very useful item in emergencies.
FOUR: A winter survival kit is a must! |
Winter Survival Kit Checklist
- Extra clothes and blankets
- Coffee can with candles for heat
- Coffee can with lid for sanitary needs
- First Aid kit
- Paper towels
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Shovel
- High energy food like candy bars, peanuts, and raisins
- NOAA Weather Radio and/or radio with fresh batteries
- Small sack of sand or set of chains for tires
- Picture you and/or your family trapped in a car during a winter storm. If you can think of anything else you would need with you (playing cards, diapers, etc), add them to your kit
|
Hypothermia Can Kill
When the body begins to lose heat faster than it can produce it, a condition called hypothermia begins to develop. The symptoms are similar to those of a person under the influence of alcohol.
| |
Hypothermia Symptoms |
 |
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Vague, slow, slurred speech
- Memory lapses; incoherence
- Immobile
- Exhaustion
- The "umbles" - mumbles, stumbles, grumbles, fumbles
|
When going outside, remember the following |
- Dress warm in loose-fitting, layered, light weight clothing
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Avoid overexertion
- Keep yourself and your cloths dry
- Check infants and the elderly for signs of frostbite
|
| |
| NOTE: If a person shows any signs of overexposure to cold or wet and windy conditions, take the following measures--even if the person claims to be fine. Often the person will not realize the seriousness of the situation until it is too late! |
| |
| Treatment for cold weather exposure |
- Call 911 in necessary.
- Get the person into dry clothing and into a warm bed
- If possible get the person into a warm (not hot) bath
- Give the person warm (not hot) drinks...no alcohol
|
Trapped in a Car
| |
|
 |
The shelter and warmth of a vehicle can lead to a false sense of security during winter travel. By using the following safety rules, you can help protect your family from the harshness of winter. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Protect Yourself and Your Family |
| |
|
- Check the latest forecast and road report before you set out. Call 511 for travel information in North Dakota.
- Dress for the outdoor conditions, not for the warmth of the vehicle.
- Have your vehicle winterized...give it a checkup.
- Include a winter survival kit. Try not to travel alone, and stick to major roads. Let someone know the route you are taking and when you plan to arrive.
- Keep your gas tank full.
- If you become stranded, stay with the vehicle. Do not try to walk away from the vehicle unless you can see a place of safety at a reasonable distance.
- If stranded, run the motor for about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Open a window slightly for fresh air. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
- If stranded, tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna and turn on the dome light at night when the motor is running. This will make your vehicle more visible to rescuers.
- If stranded, don't let all occupants sleep at the same time. Be sure someone stays awake! If you are alone, stay awake! Move around, clap your hands, rub your legs, and stretch.
|
Wind Chill
How can I calculate the Wind Chill?
Below is the mathematical formula for computing wind chill using wind speed (MPH) and temperature (Fahrenheit):
Wind Chill = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275(V^0.16)
|
