Winter Weather Preparedness
We all witnessed the chaos that resulted from last week’s winter storm – something we only experience every few years here in Atlanta. Thousands were stuck in gridlock traffic for long hours – and even days in some instances. Others abandoned their vehicles along the highway and sought refuge wherever they could find warmth. State and local governments will continue to look at what went well and what could have been done better.
How about you? Were you among the masses ill-prepared to survive cold weather in your car, or did you have resources available to make the experience more tolerable? If you weren’t prepared, now is the time to do something while the cold memories are still fresh in your mind.
Winterizing your vehicle doesn’t take a lot of time or resources. Here are a few tips from the experts that will help keep you safe when the temperature and snowflakes start falling again.
- Ensure your radiator antifreeze is full
- Inspect to make sure your headlights, break lights and flashing hazard lights are all working
- Replace worn windshield wipers to ensure clear visibility on the roadway
- Replace worn tires that lack enough tread to navigate slippery, snowy roads
Useful items to keep in your car include:
- Windshield scraper
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Battery powered radio
- Paper maps of local area
- Snack food and water
- First aid kit
- Extra hat, gloves, mittens, socks, and scarf to keep warm
- Emergency blanket
- Kitty litter or sand for traction
More information is available on the Emergency Preparedness page of our website, as well as in this post: https://www.gnrhealth.com/services/are-you-ready
Good tips are also available here: http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
Also learn about how to keep food safe when the power goes out: Power Outages: Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety and Food Safety During Power Outage (Video)
