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ROTATING MACHINERY SERVICES, INC. RMS

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY By Tom Edwards

Extremely cold temperatures often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures
and icy roads. Follow these important steps to protect yourself and your family. Although staying indoors as
much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor haz-
ards. Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't ade-
quate for the weather. The use of space heaters and fireplaces increases the risk of household fires and risk

of carbon monoxide poisoning. Tips to protect yourself and your family.

Indoor Safety Outdoor Safety

1. Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if 1. Dress warmly and stay dry.
they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas
into the indoor air space. 2. Wear a hat, scarf, and mittens.

2. Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your
home.

3. Keep as much heat as possible inside your home. 3. Avoid frostbite.

4. Check the temperature in your home often during extremely 4. If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work
cold weather. slowly.

5. Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously when 5. Avoid walking on ice or getting wet.
temperatures drop below freezing.
6. Notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking,
6. Eat well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer. camping, or skiing.

7. Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors—the fumes are deadly. 7. Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses, and bridges if
at all possible.
8. Never use a generator inside the house, in the basement, in the
garage, or near a window. 8. If you are stranded, it is safest to stay in your car.

9. Never leave lit candles unattended.

10 Tips for Safe Driving In Winter Weather

When the weather gets frightful, particularly in the Northeast, it's best to avoid driving if possible. But for those who need to
get behind the wheel, AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have provided lists of tips to stay safe while
on the road. Some are pretty obvious ("Always look and steer where you go;" wear your seatbelt), but others are more useful.
Here's some of what you need to know before driving in winter weather.

From the NHTSA: From AAA:

Fill your windshield wiper fluid reservoir; it can go quickly in snowy Keep your gas tank at least half full, to avoid gas line freeze up (when
conditions. Keep an extra supply in the car. moisture in the air in the tank freezes, clogging the line).

Electric vehicle batteries lose power more quickly in the cold, so be Properly inflate your tires.
sure they are fully charged before heading out.
If stranded, tie a brightly colored cloth to your car's antenna or in the
Keep extra distance between yourself and other cars, to account for window, to alert rescuers. In the dark, keep the dome light on, if
slow braking. With antilock brakes, apply steady pressure. With non- possible.
antilock brakes, gently pump the brakes. Accelerate slowly, to improve traction.

In the event of a skid, ease off the gas, do not brake (until the car is Avoid stopping fully, and do not stop when driving uphill.
under control), and carefully steer in the direction you want the front
of the car to go.

Keep abrasive material (like sand) in the car, to use for extra traction
if the car gets stuck.