Winter Storms:
· Stay inside and off the roads if possible
· When manually shoveling snow, be sure not to overexert yourself with heavy lifting of snow (especially when the snow is wet)- take frequent breaks
· Exercise caution when performing maintenance on your snowblower or attempting to clear a jam. Ensure the equipment is fully shut-off/denergized prior to performing any maintenance.
· Dress appropriately to avoid frostbite and wear boots with good traction to avoid slips and falls.
· Also, please keep in mind that cold outside temperatures can quickly lead to hypothermia (a very serious condition) - especially if you get wet from excessive sweating or melting snow.
· Look out for your fellow deployed soldiers' family- If you know of someone who is currently deployed, reach out to his or her family and ask if there is anything they need (shovel snow, etc.)
If you must drive, consider these tips for driving on snowy and icy roads (regardless of whether you have four-wheel drive or not):
· Be sure to plan ahead before traveling to allow adequate to time for you to clear driveways and car windows of snow and ice.
· Check that your tires are not bald and consider switching to snow tires for added traction.
· Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first.
· Be aware of black ice - especially in the early morning or late evening.
· Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least 3X more space than usual between you and the next car.
· Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off or pump the brake...
· Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
· Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
· If your car begins to skid:
- take your foot off the accelerator
- steer in the direction of the skid
- if you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
- if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse - this is normal.
· For longer trips, consider leaving a copy of your itinerary with a friend or complete a “TRIPs� travel risk assessment (found at the Army Safety Center’s website: https://safety.army.mil) that your supervisor can sign-off on. Or, make sure someone always knows where you are going and try to keep that person updated of you whereabouts by cell phone.
· Pack an emergency kit in your car that includes blankets, water, snacks, jumper cables, car jack, markers/flares and a first aid kit.
· Storm drains may become blocked with ice and snow, so any snow melt could lead to localized flooding. Avoid driving through roadways that are overflowing/flooded with water. If you can't see the road beneath- it may be deeper than you think.