While winter brings many good things, such as sparkling beauty and stunning landscape, it also brings with it a lot of challenges. Some of these include power outages, icy sidewalks, the risk of frostbite, hypothermia, snowy streets, and increased risk of slip and fall injuries and road accidents. Staying safe, healthy and warm during the cold winters should be your number one priority. The following guidelines will help you prepare:
Know Your Winter Weather Terms
Winter months include a wide range of harsh weather conditions, e.g. strong winds, subfreezing temperatures, snow, and even heavy rain storms. It is highly recommended that you learn about the basic winter weather terminology so you can prepare yourself appropriately. Some of the common terms you should know about, include winter storm watch or advisory, winter storm warning, blizzard warning, freezing rain, flurries, and blowing snow.
A watch is issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when there is a possibility or the potential for a siginificant whether event.
When a weather event becomes imminent, a watch will normally be upgraded to either a warning or an advisory which indicates that there is an 80% or greater probability of it happening. A Warning indicates that the weather condition poses a threat to life or property and that travel will become difficult to impossible.
Blowing snow is wind-driven snow which is lifted from the surface at eye level that reduces visibility.
Winter Safety at Home
Set up an emergency plan for your entire family and collect emergency supplies so you have enough provisions for yourself and your family to live on for at least three days. Some other tips to ensure winter safety at home include the following:
- Wear layers of warm and loose-fitting clothing.
- Use caution when using heating sources. If you have kerosene heaters, make sure to refuel them outside and place them at a safe distance from flammable objects.
- Insulate your home. Be sure to have weather stripping around the windowsills and doors to keep your indoor space warm.
- Stay updated with emergency information and weather forecast by watching TV or listening to your radio.
Winter Weather Driving Tips
Ice and snow increase the risk of road accidents. In 2019, winter weather conditions resulted in 440 fatal crashes and about 33,000 injuries. To ensure safe winter driving, you must properly prepare your vehicle. Make sure to have your car serviced in these areas:
- Tires
- Brakes
- Battery
- Wipers
- Oil and fluids
It is also recommended that you put some essentials in the back of your vehicle, e.g. emergency roadside kit, jumper cables, snow shovel, etc.
Don’t Drive if You Don’t Need to
The less you are on the road during the winter season the better. So, avoid driving unless you really need to. Opt for home delivery for items you need. Grouping trips together into a single outing is also recommended. The easiest way to minimize winter driving hazards is removing them as a factor.
Drive Slow and Stay Alert
Roads are extra slippery during the winter season. So, maintain a safe distance between your car and other vehicles on the road, drive at a steady speed and brake or turn as little as possible, particularly when you are driving on snow. If you must slow down, simply lift your foot off the accelerator and feather the brakes. Last, but not least, stay alert and vigilant for pedestrians and pay attention to how others are driving around you. This will greatly help reduce the risk of an accident happening.
In Case of Emergency
If you encounter an emergency while on the road, follow these guidelines:
- Pull off the highway and hang a distress flag from your window or radio antenna.
- Don’t forget to turn on hazard lights.
- Stay in your car where rescuers can easily find you. If you must leave the car, be extra careful as blowing snow can distort distances and reduce visibility.
- Avoid dehydration by drinking fluids.
- Run the heater and engine about ten minutes per hour to stay warm.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Personal Injury Attorneys located in Fairfax and licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland and in the District of Columbia
Harsh winter weather conditions can really affect our everyday activities. Practicing safety precautions during this time is extremely important. Road conditions are particularly treacherous and require you to be extra careful. However, an accident can still happen no matter how careful you are. If your car accident occurred due to another driver’s negligence, know that you can pursue compensation. At Hilton & Somer, LLC, our experienced personal injury and auto accident attorneys can efficiently fight on your behalf. We are here to help you 24/7, so feel free get in touch with us via our online contact form or by dialing (703) 560-0700.
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