You may not plan to ever spend the night in your car, but that does not mean it can’t happen. Winter emergencies, weather, accidents, and breakdowns can leave you stranded, and depending on where you are and what kind of emergency you are involved in, you could wind up spending the night in your vehicle, in very cold weather. Following a few basic safety tips can keep you alive and as comfortable as possible until help arrives.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they are stranded in cold weather is poisoning themselves with carbon monoxide by running the vehicle to keep warm. You can run the engine for short periods of time. Check the exhaust for damage and make sure the tailpipe isn’t blocked with snow first. Keep a window cracked while you run the vehicle, and only run it for ten minutes and hour or five minutes every half hour.
Do not go to sleep with the engine running. That is how people die. Consider including a carbon monoxide detector sticker in your survival kit.
Survival Kit
Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle at all times, and keep your gas tank full. Your survival kit should include items such as water, food, hand warmers, blankets, and a folding shovel.
Utah car accident victims turn to the Salt Lake City accident attorneys of Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC. Please, do not hesitate to call us or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you and your family collect maximum compensation.
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