When the weather is bad, it is best to stay home. While that is a simple fact, it is not always possible to do. There may be times when you absolutely must be out or you may be caught away from home when a weather storm comes in. Knowing what to do in extreme weather conditions can save your life and prevent an accident.
Sometimes extreme weather comes more in the way of temperatures rather than precipitation. For instance, temperatures can soar during the summer months to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making time spent away from air conditioning dangerous. Extreme cold in the winter can also be a problem. It is important to know what to do when you are out on the road in any extreme weather to protect you and your family.
Extreme Temperatures
The first thing you should do is to always make sure your car is in good working order, especially before starting out on a long drive. Make sure someone knows you will be leaving, where you are going and when you will arrive. This ensures that someone is checking on you in case something happens. Always have a fully-charged cell phone in case of emergency while out on the highway.
What to do if your vehicle breaks down in extreme temperatures:
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Be prepared by having plenty of water with you for hot weather temperatures to keep you hydrated until you receive help.
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Carry blankets and extra clothing for extreme cold. Dress in layers to keep warm until help arrives.
Extreme Weather
Flash flooding and big snow storms are two of the biggest concerns for Utah residents. With either situation, you can end up stuck somewhere with no safe route to get home. The most important thing to remember is to stop driving before it becomes too dangerous. Stop somewhere and wait out the weather event until it is safe to drive.
If you do not stop in time and your vehicle becomes stranded, you must know what to do to protect yourself and your family.
For flash flooding:
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If you are in a flooding car, remove your seatbelts immediately.
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Move children into the front seat.
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Open or break the window. Do not open the doors.
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Get out of the car through the open window, helping the children to get out first.
For snow storms:
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Look for a safe place to pull over. If you are already stuck, put on your flashers where you are.
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Stay inside your vehicle unless you can see a building. It is easy to become disoriented in falling snow.
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Turn on your heater every few minutes to keep warm. Open a window to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t leave the heater on for too long or you’ll use up all of the gas.
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Check the exhaust pipes often to make sure they are not getting clogged to prevent fumes from being pushed back into the car.
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Keep your seatbelt on to prevent injury if another vehicle should hit you.
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Turn on your lights if you see traffic so others will see you.
Be prepared in extreme weather if you must get out in your vehicle. Know what to do and what not to do to save your life.
