Safety tips if you get stranded while driving during winter storm
Posted: Feb 1, 2022 1:19 PM EST
The Indiana State Police and National Weather Service have the following tips if you get stranded in your vehicle during the winter storm.
- Before you leave, let someone know where you are headed and your route of travel.
- Make sure you have a full tank of gas. If you are stranded and keep your car running, you will use an average of one gallon of gas per hour. A full or near-full tank gives you more time with your heater running.
- Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
- While running the motor, open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
- Do not leave your car if stranded. It is your best protection.
- Carry a winter survival kit in your car that includes blankets, extra warm clothes, flashlight, extra batteries, brightly colored cloth, sand or a bag of cat litter, shovel, candles and matches, non perishable high calorie foods, (nuts, raisins, and protein or energy bars), newspapers (for insulation), a first aid kit and jumper cables.
- Make sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- At night, leave your dome light on.
- Always have your cell phone and a charger so you can call the Indiana State Police or local police.
- Tie a bright colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
- After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
