It's that time of year again when the temperature and snow are both coming down. This is a good time to review the special safety concerns that wintertime brings.

Some of the things we all need to watch for in winter include driving on icy or snow-covered roads, staying warm and preventing hypothermia and frostbite, and staying healthy.

Winter Driving Tips:
One of the most important, and often forgotten, things to remember for winter driving is to have your car checked out before the weather gets bad. It is important to have properly inflated tires with good tread, as traction is often poor in winter driving conditions. It is also important to have your coolant level checked, have good wiper blades, and make sure your car is in good running order. It is a good idea to keep your gas tank near full in winter, in case you should get stuck or stranded - this also helps keep ice from forming in the tank. You may need to run your engine periodically for several hours until rescue personnel can reach you.

Something else to consider before winter sets in is to prepare an emergency kit to keep in your car, in case you do get stranded. Having a good emergency kit can litterally mean the difference between life and death if you become

• extra clothes or blankets
• flashlight
• matches/candles/coffee can
• booster cables
• emergency flares
• high-calorie, non-perishable food (and a can opener, if necessary)
• paper towels

Of course, the best advice for driving on icy roads is: don't. If possible, stay where you are until the roads are in better shape. However, if you must venture out on bad roads, try to let someone know where you are going and what route you plan to take. If they don't hear from you by a specified time, they can begin looking for you.

It is important to make sure all your windows and lights are free of ice and snow before you get in your car. Visibility is frequently poor in winter, so it is crucial to have clear windows to see out of and clear lights to be seen by others.

If you should find yourself stranded, you must first assess your situation. Is there a house nearby? What are the current conditions (temperature, visibility)? It is recommended that you stay put and wait for help to find you. However, if you can see a house nearby and you are confident someone is there, you may want to go there to seek help. Note: If you are transporting a client, remain in your vehicle with them and wait for help to come to you. If you decide to leave your vehicle, be sure to bundle up as warmly as possible.

exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow. It takes only a few minutes to be overcome with carbon monoxide, and you will probably never realize it's happening.

You should run your car periodically to keep the temperature at an acceptable level. This also allows you to listen to the radio to see what's happening in your area. You may want to keep a battery-operated radio in your emergency kit, rather than run your car radio. It is also important to use your extra clothes or blankets to retain as much body heat as possible. You can also warm your car by lighting a candle in a coffee pot or clean hubcap placed on the passenger floor. It is vital, however, that you keep one window open an inch or two to allow the smoke and fumes to escape.

One note about cell phones. The increased use of cell phones is making it easier to reach help if you become stranded in your car. However, there are still many areas in our region where cell phones will not work, so do not depend on your cell phone alone to help you. Remember the Boy Scout motto and Be Prepared.

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