Snow is pretty if you’re admiring it from your cozy living room while standing by a fireplace. But it turns ugly when your car gets stuck in it. Here are some tips to stay safe and get unstuck:
While you’re stuck …
Don’t stray: Believe us, it’s safer inside your car than it is for you to go exploring outside. For one thing, it’s warmer. You’d be surprised how quickly hypothermia can set in. Unless, of course, there’s a gas station or some other building nearby where you can get warm and toasty.
Don’t sleep: At least, not with the engine running. In fact …
Turn off that engine: Even if you have a full tank of gas, it’s best to just turn your engine on, say, once every 15-20 minutes — enough to warm you up. Why? Because you have no idea how long you’ll be stranded. And gas is your friend.
Beware of carbon monoxide: Every once in a while, hop out of the car and check your tailpipe. You want to make sure there’s no snow clogging it up. Because if it is, guess where those carbon monoxide fumes flow? Yep, back toward you.
Stay warm: Wrap yourself in whatever you have handy. Your jacket. Or that ratty picnic blanket lying forgotten on the backseat floor. The key is to keep heat from leaving your body.
Stay connected: If you have a cell phone, now is not the time to play Angry Birds to while away the time. Save the charge. You’ll probably need it.
Move it, move it: Clap your hands. Snap your fingers. Stretch those legs. Do the chicken dance. At least once every hour, it’s good to move the different parts of your body. This helps keep the blood flowing and keeps you warm.
Drink up: Water, that is. It’s good to stay hydrated. But don’t eat snow. Your body will have to melt the ice first, and that requires heat. Heat you can’t afford to waste.
When you’re moving again ….
Ease up on that lead foot: It’s better to be Mr. Late Arriver than the late Mr. Arriver. And use your low gear when driving on those treacherous roads.
Tap, tap, tap: To avoid spinning out of control, don’t slam on the brakes. Tap on them instead.
Watch out: Black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses, can sneak up on you. Also look out for fallen trees, power lines and other obstacles.
Be nice: Don’t block DOT trucks putting salt on the roads. In fact, don’t pass them — let them do their job so you can get where you need to go safely. And while you’re at it, don’t block intersections either. Does that really need saying?
Sing out loud: When you get home, that is. You made it!
