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Is there anything worse than your car not starting on a cold, winter day? Yes; getting stranded in winter weather. In fact, the Automobile Association of America estimates that 5 million motorists will be stranded this winter, and nearly 1 million of them will be stuck in ice or snow.
Is there any way to avoid this catastrophe? Yes. According to safety experts, the best thing to do in dangerous weather is to stay home. If you don’t absolutely have to go out, don’t.
Have a GPS? Great. But check your map.
Although we don’t have to worry about massive snow drifts in Atlanta, other areas of the country do have heavy snowfalls which could shut down roads. Your GPS only sees the road. Focusing solely on this system without also consulting a map could lead you down the wrong road–one covered in snow and in the opposite direction of where you want to go.
Pack emergency supplies
These will likely vary depending on your driving habits, but in general, they should include a flashlight, flares, a first aid kit, a blanket, jumper cables, and water. Even non-perishable foods like crackers can provide much-needed nourishment and help to keep you comfortable until emergency crews arrive.
Run the vehicle engine — but crack a window
While it’s perfectly fine to turn on the heat in order to keep your vehicle warm, you want to take precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Simply run the car engine for 10 to 15 minutes, but crack the car window to let excess fumes escape. And, before you set off on a road trip, be sure that your tank is at least half full, so you’ll have enough fuel to keep the car warm and the battery charged for several days.
Stay in your vehicle
Hard as it might be to stay put, staying in your vehicle if you’re stranded in winter weather is the best thing you can do. Your vehicle provides shelter from the elements and is the safest place to be until help arrives.
Experts advise you to avoid trying to dig yourself out of the car. That could cause physical exhaustion; plus, your sweat will cause your clothes to become damp and fail to keep you warm in the cold weather.
Finally, do not leave your vehicle to try to find help. Call 9-1-1, notify rescue crews of your location, and wait for help.
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by Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications
We’re all familiar with the term “bystander,” a person who watches events unfold from the sidelines while doing nothing to help. But few of us might have ever heard of the “Bystander Effect.”
Simply put, the Bystander Effect is the name given to the psychological phenomenon where the greater number of people present, the less likely people are to help a person in distress. In other words, for some reason that psychologists don’t fully understand, observers are more likely to help a victim if few or no witnesses are around.
The Bystander Effect in action
Can you imagine the horror of being the victim of a crime or an attack, screaming for help, and watching people just walk by?
Last year, NBC’s “Today Show” ran a segment during which a reporter spoke with a security specialist about the bystander effect. And, to prove how real — and devastating — its effects can be, the show staged the attempted abduction of a seven year-old girl.
Watch the video here and make it your business to get involved — even if it’s just calling 911 — if you ever see this happening. And tell us, have you ever declined helping someone who appeared to be in trouble? Please share your reasons why in the comments below.
by Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications
As if the recent “Snowpocalypse” wasn’t enough, most of the North and Southeastern United States is gearing up for more winter weather.
But while icy roads pose their own unique set of dangers, failing to dress properly for the extreme cold introduces another set of hazards, among them hypothermia.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature, which occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced. When this happens, the brain is affected, rendering the victim pretty much helpless.
The normal human body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Mild hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 95 degrees. Severe hypothermia sets in when body temperature drops below 93 degrees.
Preventing hypothermia
The best way to prevent hypothermia is to stay indoors in extremely cold temperatures. But if you must head outside, your best defense is to dress in layers. Always wear a hat, as body heat escapes through the head. A hat helps to retain body heat. In addition, children and adults should wear the following:
Symptoms of hypothermia
Shivering is the first sign that the body is losing heat. Head indoors immediately! The following symptoms are also signs of hypothermia:
If you know someone who is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away! This is the only way to prevent brain injury, heart attack, or death.
Whatever you do, do not attempt to raise the body temperature of someone who you suspect is suffering from hypothermia. Placing the person in hot water or wrapping them in an electric blanket could cause their body temperature to rise too fast, causing cardiac arrest.
Instead, move the person indoors. Remove wet clothing and replace with warm, dry clothes. Then, simply wrap him or her in a warm blanket and patiently wait for medical help to arrive.
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