SEMA’s advice on car preparations ahead of winter weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri States Emergency Management Agency lists items to keep in your car and driving tips ahead of winter weather heading towards Mid-Missouri.

SEMA says there is nothing more important for your safety and the safety of others than the decisions you make about driving. This includes avoiding non-essential trips during snow storms to prevent traffic crashes, allowing road crews to clear roads more quickly, and keeping you from becoming stranded, according to its website.

Before hitting the roads, SEMA says there are some safety tips the Missouri State Highway Patrol has helped them put together.

Winter Driving Safety:

• Follow local weather forecasts and traffic reports.
• Check MoDOT’s Traveler Info Map for road conditions.
• Allow extra travel time and expect delays.
• Reduce speed and increase the following distance. Drive based on conditions, NOT the posted speed limit.
• Focus 100 percent on driving because you have less control of your vehicle and less visibility. Use your headlights to increase your visibility to other drivers.
• Understand that bridges and overpasses often ice over sooner than other parts of the road.
• Place an ice scraper, battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full.
• Travel with a fully charged cell phone.
• Clear your vehicle’s windows completely before driving to ensure visibility.
• Never overreact or slam on the brakes. If you begin to slide, steer toward the slide to regain control of the vehicle.
• Understand that 4-wheel-drive vehicles may provide extra traction to get a vehicle moving in the snow, but they are not better at braking or handling turns.
• If you must travel in a snowstorm, let others know about your route, destination, and estimated arrival time.
• If you become stranded in deep snow and are idling the engine to keep warm, be sure to keep the area around the tailpipe clear to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning inside the vehicle. Also, open a window slightly to let in fresh air.

What to do if you get stranded

Staying in your vehicle when stranded is often the safest choice if winter storms create visibility so poor that you can’t see or if roadways are ice-covered. These steps will increase your safety when stranded:

• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna as a signal to rescuers.
• Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area.
• Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing or blankets.
• Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.
• Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and stay warmer.
• Do not eat unmelted snow because it will lower your body temperature.
• Huddle with other people for warmth.

More advice including how to avoid hypothermia and frostbite can be found on the website as well.