|
What to Keep in Your Car
As a general rule, don't leave your car if you break down or get stuck during a snow storm. The car is your only shelter, and it can save your life. Someone will find you eventually, so stay put. The Colorado Division of Emergency Management advises that you keep these items in your car at all times:
- a battery powered radio (with fresh batteries)
- flashlight and extra batteries
- blanket (better yet, a sleeping bag rated to 40 below zero F)
- jumper cables
- fire extinguisher (5 lb. A-B-C- type)
- first aid kit
- bottled water
- non-perishable high energy foods like granola bars, raisins and peanut butter. (Please note that you should not leave any food in your car except in the winter, because a bear could break into your car for the food and wreak havoc).
- shovel
They also advise that if you get stuck during a blizzard, you do the following:
- Pull off the road, set hazard lights to flashing, and hang a distress flag (red bandana or shop towel) from the radio antenna or window.
- Remain in your vehicle; rescuers are most likely to find you there.
- Conserve fuel, but run the engine and heater about ten minutes each hour to keep warm, cracking a downwind window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Exercise to maintain body heat but don't over-exert. Huddle with other passengers and use your coat for a blanket (better yet, use that sleeping bag that you kept in your car).
- In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, floor mats, newspapers or extra clothing for covering-anything to provide additional insulation and warmth.
- Turn on the inside dome light so rescue teams can see you at night, but be careful not to run the battery down. In remote areas, spread a large cloth over the snow to attract the attention of rescue planes.
- Do not set out on foot unless you see a building close by where you know you can take shelter.
- Once the blizzard is over, you may need to leave the car and proceed on foot. Follow the road if possible. If you need to walk across open country, use distant points as landmarks to help maintain your sense of direction.
None of that sounds like much fun. It's a much better idea to stay at home near the fire until the storm passes and the roads are cleared. See next item:
Road Conditions
For current road conditions, call the CDOT hotline at 877-315-7623 or visit www.cotrip.org. Even if a pass is open but has a chain requirement for commercial vehicles, you may want to wait. I was once driving on a pass which was simply listed as "packed snow, icy spots"--at least 6 vehicles had slid off the road, one over a cliff!
|
