If you live in the Northeast U.S., especially Pennsylvania, it’s that time of year when snow, sleet, ice, and flurries are inevitably on the horizon. These weather conditions can be tricky to navigate, and it is imperative that you are prepared ahead of time if you have to travel. We have put together some important tips about snow safety and what to do if you drive in a winter storm.
Snow Safety Tips
Stay warm by wearing clothes that reflect the outside temperature.
- Check to see how cold it is outside, and dress in layers or thermal clothes.
- Pack an extra pair of clothing and blankets in the car. This will come in handy if your clothing becomes wet and you need to change.
Snow blowers are great to help remove snow, but accidents can still happen.
- If your snowblower is stuck, first turn off the machine and use a stick to remove excess snow. Whatever you do, do NOT stick your hand inside the snowblower, even if it is turned off.
- Wear ear protection to protect your ears from the noise.
- Before you start using a new snowblower, read the instructions. Some snowblowers may start differently and have specific gears to shift.
- Run the snowblower to remove all the gas at the end of the season. This prevents it from having issues the next season when starting it for the first time.
Be careful shoveling snow.
- Use your legs to help lift the snow to protect your back. When lifting a full shovel, have your hands spaced out. Some shovels are designed to protect your back.
- Do not strain yourself by lifting too much snow at a time.
- If you feel like your back will give out, stop and rest. Then, wait to see if it is safe to continue.
- Pushing the snow instead of lifting it can give your back a small break.
Remove ice on sidewalks and driveways.
- Put salt down ahead of time on icy areas. Special salts have been created that are safe for families with pets.
- Sometimes, extreme cold temperatures prevent these salts from working well. In these cases, you can use sand until the temperature is high enough for salt.
Drive safely in the snow and ice.
- Can your car go through snow safely? For example, sports cars are not made to travel well in winter conditions. If your vehicle can make it safely, make sure your gas tank is full, and if using rear wheel drive, put something in the trunk to weigh down the car.
- Make sure your car is clear of all snow, including the top. Snow may shift forward or back while driving, which can cause it to cover the vehicles surrounding you. If you have a tall truck, there are snow brushes that retract and extend.
- Go outside a few minutes before travel time to start your car and defrost the windows; this will help melt the snow and ice.
- Wear your seatbelt and have an emergency kit in the car.
- Take your time. Give yourself enough time to get to where you want to go. You may have to drive slowly, but this will ensure that you have more control of your vehicle.
- If the snow is thick on the ground and you see tracks in front of you by another car, drive in the tracks.
- If road conditions are bad on highways or other roads, avoid passing.
- Leave enough space between you and the driver in front of you. This should give you enough time to stop if necessary.
- Do not slam on the gas or breaks. Slowly push down to give time for the car to increase or decrease speed.
- Be extremely mindful of your surroundings.
- Your traction control button is usually turned on to help prevent spinning out. But if you get stuck, turn off the traction control.
- Icy roads or black ice are tricky when driving. Watch for those spots you see on the road and drive slowly. You can identify black ice by looking for shiny, glossy patches on the road that seem wet but are actually patches of ice.
- Anti-lock brakes can help you slow down. However, if you have not used them before, be cautious of their pulsating effect.
- The saying goes: “When sliding, turn into it.” If your car starts to slide sideways, you should steer the wheels in the same direction as the back of your car, essentially turning the steering wheel in the direction of the slide to regain control.
Curious about how to save energy in your home or business this winter? Check out our blog!