Staying Safe This Winter Season

 MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

As the fall season is coming to an end, winter will soon be upon on us. The cold nights are beginning and the snow is soon to come. With this in mind it’s important to be prepared for the winter weather, especially when it comes to winter driving. If your car breaks down in the winter or you get in an accident and you are not prepared, it can have harmful and in some cases deadly consequences. 

Things you can do to help prevent a breakdown and/or accident are:

• Get your car serviced. It’s important to have your car checked thoroughly for any needed repairs or parts. 
• Check your battery. In the winter it takes more battery power to start your car; make sure your battery is in good condition to avoid getting stuck with a dead battery. 
• Check your windshield wipers and windshield waster fluid. Make sure windshield wipers are in good condition and replace any worn blades. You should also make sure your windshield waster fluid is full. It’s a good idea to keep extra in your vehicle just in case you run out during a snowstorm. 
• Inspect your tires. If you use snow tires make sure you don’t put off getting them installed until after the first snowstorm, the sooner the better. If you’re keeping your current tires, check to make sure the tread is not too worn down or uneven and that they have the proper air pressure. 

However, no matter how much we try to prepare, we can’t be certain that someone else wont hit us, or that our car won’t break down unexpectedly. Because of this it is a good idea to be prepared in case an accident or breakdown does occur. We recommend stocking your vehicle with the following supplies in the case of an emergency:

• Shovel and Ice Scraper. If your car gets buried in snow or freezing rain covers your windshield and windows, you need to be prepared.
• A Towrope. It’s possible you could end up stuck in a ditch or on the side of the road. It’s a good idea to have the ability to get towed out of the ditch if someone stops to help you.
• Blankets & Warm Clothing. It’s important to be able to stay warm if you have to wait for a tow-truck or for emergency workers to come to your aid. 
• Jumper Cables and a Flashlight.  It’s good to be prepared if your car does not start. Don’t assume someone else will have the jumper cables to help you start your car. 
• Flares or Reflective Markers. In a snowstorm, visibility is often times very limited. Because of this, if your car breaks down it is important to make yourself as visible as possible to avoid getting hit by another driver. 

Winter is soon to be upon us so I thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday and winter season.

Christopher Feigal

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company