Tips On Being Stranded In Snow

Winter is a beautiful time of year in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri, particularly when a new coating of snow covers everything. Winter can also be an extremely dangerous time of the year. If you plan on traveling during the long cold winter, it is good to be totally prepared for winter driving and to have winter car supplies in your car. Sadly, being trapped on the side of the highway in severe winter conditions is not unusual. Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri has provided these tips to help you in case you ever find yourself in that situation.

In Case You Are Stuck While Driving In Winter:

1.   Call 911. If you have access to a cellular phone, call 911 to get assistance. Whenever you speak with authorities, be ready to:

• Describe the location, condition of your travel companions and the problem you are experiencing.
• Listen for questions.
• Follow any instruction. You might be told you should stay where you are to assist rescuers or to go back to the scene.
• Don't hang up until you know whom you have talked with and what will happen next.

2.   Stay in your automobile. Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You can easily lose your way, wander out of reach, become worn out, collapse, and risk your life. Your automobile itself is a great shelter.
3.   Try to avoid overexertion. Trying to push your vehicle, trying to jack it into a new position or shoveling snow takes great effort in storm conditions. You could risk heart attack or other injury.

4.   Calm down and think. The storm will end and you will be discovered. Don't work enough to get hot and sweaty. Wet clothing forfeits insulation quality causing you to be more susceptible to the effects of hypothermia.
5.   Keep clean air in the car. It is much better to be chilly or cold and conscious than to be comfortably warm and slip into unconsciousness. Freezing-wet or wind-driven St. Louis area snow could plug your automobile's exhaust system causing deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car.
6.   Do not run the engine unless you are sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow or other objects. Keep the radiator free of snow to prevent the engine from overheating. Run the engine at ten minute intervals for heat.
7.   Switch on the dome light at night, but only when running the engine.
8.   Keep your blood circulating freely by slackening tight clothes, changing positions regularly, and moving your arms and legs. Huddle close to one another. Rub your hands together or put them under your armpits or between your legs. Take off your shoes or boots from time to time and massage your feet.
9.   Do not expect to be comfortable. The goal is to survive until you're located.
10.   Make yourself noticeable to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.

Once you get free from danger, your vehicle may have some cosmetic or internal damage. If so, consider taking your car or truck to Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri. They have auto body experts ready to handle any damage that your vehicle may have incurred.