Oakbrook Terrace

Police Department

Serving the Community

WINTER SURVIVAL

IN YOUR CAR

Common Sense and Planning Will See You Through

*** SOME SUGGESTIONS ***

1. TALK IT OVER BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. Simple planning can save you trouble and even save your life.

2. PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE. Be sure you have your vehicle in good winter driving condition. Be sure to take along the emergency equipment referred to at the end of this article and keep it accessible. Never travel with less than one-half tank of gas.

3. KNOW THE WEATHER. Listen to forecasts, road reports and storm warnings. Dress appropriately. Pack extra scarves and mittens. Allow extra time for essential trips in severe weather.

4. MAKE IT EASY TO BE FOUND. Tell someone where you are going and the route. Report safe arrival. If stalled, tie a colored banner (from your winter survival kit) on your antenna or hang it out a window at night, remove the lens cover from your dome light and turn it on. Road crews or rescue units can see a small glow at a considerable distance once the blowing snow stops. (Use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles.) Keep one person on watch. Don't all rest at the same time.

5. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You can lose your way, wander out of reach, become exhausted, collapse and risk your life. Your vehicle itself is a good shelter.

6. AVOID OVEREXERTION. Attempting to push your car, trying to jack it into a new position or shoveling snow takes great effort in storm conditions. You could risk heart attack or other injury. Take it easy!

7. KEEP COOL - TWO WAYS. 1) Calm down and think. The storm will end and you will be found. 2) Don't work enough to get hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation quality making you more susceptible to the effects of hypothermia.

8. KEEP FRESH AIR IN YOUR VEHICLE. It is much better to be chilly or cold and awake than to become comfortably warm and slip into unconsciousness. Freezing-wet or wind-driven snow can plug your vehicle's exhaust system causing deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your vehicle. DON'T RUN THE ENGINE - unless you are certain the exhaust pipe is free of snow or other objects. Keep the radiator free from snow to prevent engine overheating.

9. KEEP WARM WITHOUT FUEL. Keep your blood circulating freely by loosening tight clothing, changing positions frequently and moving your arms and legs. Huddle close to one another. Rub your hands together or put them under your armpits or between your legs. Remove your shoes occasionally and rub your feet.

10. DON'T EXPECT TO BE COMFORTABLE. The challenge is to survive until you're found.

*** WINTER DRIVING TIPS ***

FOR A START - you should acquire a healthy respect for cold weather, snow, and ice. They are demanding on both car and driver. As cold affects the human body, it also affects metal, rubber and other materials in your car. It can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle's battery by at least 50%. It can freeze tires flat on the bottom for at least the first half-mile of travel. It can thicken your car's lubricants, making starting harder and an engine warm-up an absolute necessity before you pull out of the driveway.

BE ABLE TO SEE AND BE SEEN. Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors. Equip your car with good wiper blades and keep an ample supply of windshield washer fluid. If visibility is poor, use your full headlamps.

GET A FEEL FOR THE ROAD when you first start out. Careful acceleration to test wheel-spin and gently braking to test skidding will dictate how fast you can safely travel.

BE GENTLE with both the accelerator and the brakes as you drive. A light foot on the gas is less likely to produce wheel spinning on ice and snow. Braking is best accomplished by an easier pumping action on the pedal. Locking the brakes will cause loss of steering control.

STRETCH YOUR FOLLOWING DISTANCE. Ice or snow can increase your stopping distance from 3 to 10 times.

TURN INTO THE DIRECTION OF THE SKID if the rear of your car breaks traction and begins to slide. Count on at least a small second skid as the car straightens out and be prepared to counter this sliding action, too.

MAKE TURNS SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY, especially at heavily traveled intersections which can become "polished" by repeated slipping and sliding of tires. Brake before you come to a curve, not while you are in it.

SCATTERED SLIPPERY SPOTS and ice patches can cause problems. Stay away from the brake, take your foot off the gas and steer as straight as possible until your car slows to a safe speed.

YOU CAN AVOID A COLLISION by intentionally steering your car off the road and into a snowbank in an emergency situation. You may get stuck, but you'll avoid an accident and possible damage and injury.

*** EMERGENCY PHONES ***

If you become stranded in any part of Illinois, and you have access to a telephone, you should dial 911 to summon help. In other states you may be able to dial 911 or "0" to get the operator on the line. When you talk with authorities, be prepared to:

1. Describe the location, condition of your companions and the trouble you are experiencing.

2. Listen for questions.

3. Follow any instructions. You may be told you should stay where you are to guide rescuers or to return to the scene.

4. DO NOT HANG UP until you know who you have spoken with and what will happen next.

5. If you must leave your vehicle, leave a notice with the following information where it can be seen through the windshield or window:

NAME

ADDRESS

PHONE NUMBER

DESTINATION

*** MAKE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT ***

IT'S EASY! HERE'S HOW.

TAKE AN EMPTY 3 POUND COFFEE CAN WITH PLASTIC COVER

PACK INSIDE THE COFFEE CAN:

* Candle stubs and matches

* Small, sharp knife

* Red bandanna or cloth

* Pencil stub and paper

* Large plastic garbage bag

* Safety pin

* Plastic spoon

* Snacks

* Cigarettes, if needed

* Plastic whistle

* Two quarters taped to the

inside of the lid for telephone calls

* Plastic flashlight and spare batteries

(Reverse batteries in the case to avoid accidental switching on and burnout. Warm batteries between your legs before using.)

Snacks will help keep you comfortable, though food energy may not be

as important as water and shelter. Choose small packages of food

you can eat hot or cold. Some suggestions are:

* Semi-sweet chocolate pieces for sharing

* Raisins in small packets

* Miniature candy bars

* Chewing gum

* Wrapped hard candies

* Food bars

* Canned soup, meat, poultry

PACK OUTSIDE THE COFFEE CAN:

Take about a 30 foot cord that can be used as a homing line for anyone who must check outside the vehicle.

BULKY AND HEAVY ITEMS:

* Booster

* Basic tools

* Tow cable or chain

* Sleeping bag or blankets

* Road flares and reflectors

* Snowmobile suit and boots

*Sand, cat litter or other grit in paper

or paper milk cartons for extra traction

* Shovel - Hub cap may be used if you can remove it.

Store what you can in the passenger compartment when severe winter weather threatens in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut.

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