Replies

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45325

Tips to help you prepare for winter.

Why should you do it now?

As the temperature drops outside, there are things you need to do to prepare for harsh weather ahead.

Prepare your vehicle for winter:
Have your antifreeze & tires checked on your car.
Have a pressurized can of de-icer and tire inflate.
Make sure your spare is in good condition and full of air.
Check your car battery and wiper blades.
Keep battery jumper cables and towing strap in car at all times.
Kitty Litter for traction on icy areas.
Put a spare key behind your license plate or somewhere hidden, but accessible.
Check the tread on your tires.
Keep your gas tank full and a spare gas can in vehicle.
Have a vehicle first aid kit, blanket and emergency road side kit in your car.
Keep some non perishable foods in vehicle at all times during the winter - granola bars, jerky, gum, hard candy, crackers, nuts, etc.
Make sure you keep a lighter and fuel source or flare in your car at all times.
If you are going into the mountains- You can always light a tree on fire for heat and to aid in your rescue.

Prepare your house for winter:
Have your furnace and water heater checked. Replace filters and clean lint from around gas vents, air returns and heat registers. Check fan & motor belts and oil motor if necessary.
Remove combustibles from around furnace and water heaters.
Replace batteries in CO2 and Smoke detectors, test them too!
Turn off your sprinkler system and swamp cooler water supply.
Take care of the drafty areas around windows and doors.
Turn off outside water taps to prevent freezing.
Spray bugspray around foundation of house to prevent the creepy crawlers from finding a warm place to live during the winter.

Prepare your pets for winter:
Do they have proper shelter and water supplies that will not freeze over.
Will their food supply stay dry and not freeze.
Is their bedding adequate, do they need straw or a better house?

Here is a downloadable and printable checklist - Winter Storm preparedness

If you will be doing anything outdoors, you need to prepare for winter weather conditions. The temperatures will drop drastically in a matter of hours and hypothermia will set in rapidly. If you are stuck in the mountains and can’t get to shelter or have improper clothing, you will be risking your life and safety.

Are you prepared?

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45325

Triple AAA & Utah Highway Patrol safety tips:
Snow, rain and fog present real challenges to motorists, so Triple AAA & Utah Highway Patrol says drivers need to hone their winter driving skills to safely navigate the wet and slippery streets.

“The wet and snowy months of fall and winter have the highest number of crashes, and the most weather-related deaths and injuries,” said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough.

Loss of visibility, slick roads, and poorly maintained vehicles combine with snow, rain, and fog to cause thousands of crashes each year. Motorists can improve their chances of safety if they observe a few winter-weather driving tips:

Adjust your driving for the weather.
Slow down. Your vehicle needs at least three times more distance to stop on slick roads. Increase your following distance to a minimum of four to eight seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Always be extremely attentive to your driving and the road conditions so you can anticipate a hazard in time to react safely.

Steer clear of collisions.
You may need to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Steering is preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph because less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. In winter weather, sudden braking often leads to skids.

Recognize a water hazard.
Even small amounts of moisture make a difference to your safety. Only one-twelfth of an inch of water between your tires and the road means each of your tires has to displace one gallon of water a second. To reduce the chances of hydroplaning, slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply, drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you and increase your following distance.

Prepare your vehicle for winter driving.
Check the tread on your tires. Good tread allows the water to escape from under the tires and increases traction. Keep tires at proper pressure. Low pressure allows the tread to squeeze together and thus reduces traction. Make sure your lights work properly and change the blades in your wipers.

Know how to handle fog -
During winter months, fog often plagues Utah motorists. Visibility in fog can deteriorate at a moment’s notice to as little as one-eighth of a mile or less. The rapid loss of visibility creates serious driving hazards. The following are specific driving tips for fog:

Drive with lights on low beam.
Reduce speed.
Listen for traffic you cannot see - open windows if necessary.
Use wipers and defroster for maximum vision.
Be patient! Don’t switch lanes unnecessarily.
Unless absolutely necessary, don’t stop on any freeway or other heavily traveled road.
If possible, postpone your trip until after the fog has lifted.