Delaware National Guard Safety Office: Winter Weather Safety Tips- 1. Road conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible at times this winter season. Please maintain vigilant situational awareness of identified hazards from developing winter weather. The snow, sleet and rain we receive may seem slushy or even melt; however partially melted snow or water runoff can freeze overnight, leading to treacherous roadway/walkway conditions. If you must drive, please take the following precautions: Carry a flashlight, blanket, snacks and water in your vehicle and keep the fuel tank full. Allow for extra time so you can drive at a slower, more controlled pace. Completely clear snow and ice from vehicle windows and lights for visibility. Ensure that your vehicle is properly winterized - especially anti-freeze, tires and brakes. When approaching a stop sign, stoplight or intersection, leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills and avoid using cruise control/overdrive. Consider switching to snow-tires if your tires aren’t at least all-season types. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. If possible, avoid passing snow plows and sanding trucks - the drivers have limited visibility. Dont assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles encounter trouble. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake. For cars with ABS, DO NOT pump your brakes even when you feel feedback in the pedal- allow the ABS system to do its job by applying steady pressure on the brake pedal and steer to avoid. 2. Slips and falls due to icy conditions account for countless injuries across the nation each year. With icy conditions, it is very important that you maintain constant situational awareness. Prevention is the best way to stop slips and falls during win- tery conditions. On your own property, be sure to shovel driveways, walkways, and sidewalks. Salt/sand high traffic areas where ice may form. Please consider the following additional slip and fall prevention measures to help avoid injury: Treat all wet, dark areas (black ice?) on pavements as potentially slippery and icy. During bad weather, avoid boots or shoes with smooth soles and heels. Instead, wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice; use boots made of non-slip rubber/neoprene with grooved soles Keep your hands out of your pockets. Hands in your pockets while walking decreases your center of gravity and balance. You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip. Take short steps or shuffle for stability. If you start to fall, attempt to land on a fleshy part of your body and roll. Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists, or spine. 3. If there is significant snow accumulation or the snow is wet, take caution not to overexert yourself when shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks, dress in layers, watch for possible hypothermia and utilize salt/sand mixes to help minimize the snow/ ice build-up in the first place. For those who use snow blowers, be sure to follow the operators instructions for safe use. Some models will instruct you to stop engine to clear jams. Shutting it down is indeed the first step but fingers have been lost to those who assume that simply stopping the engine renders the machine safe. You should not only shut off the blower, but also use a stick or other tool to keep your hand clear of the blades. This is because blades may be under pressure from a jam even when the engine is off- so as soon as you loosen the snow/ice/newspaper jam, the blades may release that tension, rotate and strike your hands.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 23:01:17 +0000