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Originally Posted by Maksutov
Do most folks have the sense to stay in their cars (i.e., their only shelter)? Bet you could write a book.
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Oh, while I'm at it, safety tips:
Every car that may encounter snow country should be carrying a winter kit, consisting of the following:
* Flashlight and spare batteries
* Booster cables
* Lock de-icer
* A small bottle of gas line antifreeze
* Extra windshield fluid (rated for -40F)
*
A snow shovel (a folding shovel is fine)
* Perhaps a liter container of grit of some kind (sand, cat litter, salt, any of these things work well under tires)
* A good window scraper
Having a cell phone along can be a lot of help as well. It's only useful if the battery is charged, though, so hang up and drive.
In addition, if you're travelling in conditions where you may expect considerable snow, each passenger should have appropriate snow clothing.
* Snow pants
* Snow boots
* A good thick jacket
* A wool or flanel sweater
* Long johns
*
Pants other than jeans
* Thick mittens, tuque, and scarf
Getting stuck at night is nothing to underestimate. If you should become stranded and are unable to free the car on your own, act as though you will be there for the long haul.
Stay with the car. A stranded car is more visible and draws more attention than pedestrians.
Change into your emergency clothes right away. The less you need to run the car to heat it, the longer your fuel supply will last.
While dry jeans retain a fair amount of heat,
wet jeans leech an amazing amount of body heat. They're worse than useless. Wool and flanel retain heat whether they are wet or dry.
Before running the car, check to be sure the exhaust pipe is clear of the snow. Dig it out if you have to. Under no circumstances run the car if the pipe isn't fully clear. If enough carbon monoxide gets trapped under (and thus
in the car, you and your passengers will die without ever knowing you're in danger.
Remember that cell phone you brought? No? Well remember it now. The folks at 911 will be glad to pass the message along to whatever rescuers are available.