Winter Safety Tips

Aradia · Teh Creator of Cute Gender: Joined: 16 Jul 2004

Hey everyone. I prolly should have put this up earlier, but it just now started to get cold here, so I just started to think about it. I strongly believe in Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Even if you have central heat and air, carbon monoxide can still seep in and attack. If you have a fireplace, please oh please make sure you turn off the fireplace fan before you close the floom. Anyways, if you don't already have a carbon monoxide protector, i strongly suggest you get one. They can be found at any home improvement store or in Wal-Mart or Target. Any brand is good. I personally vouch for Kidde Nighthawk, but thats only cause it saved my life...i'm kinda biased. These things are the best things you can get for your family. I have a 3 bedroom house and I have 2 detectors. One on each side of the house. And when we start a family, I'm getting one in every room. I know I'm a little out there on how many I need, but I easily freak out on this subject.

Now for a few other heating safety tips.

If you go to bed or leave the house, even the room, please remember to close the glass, even if not all the way, if there are still hot coals. That can help prevent a small fire turning into a big one.

If you have deerborne heaters, place a glass bowl filled with water on top of it. This kind of heat is very dry and easily irritates the lungs. With this water here, it acts as a low grade humidifier. Not enough to help a sickness, but enough to help avoid one.

***If anyone has any other tips, please add them. The best way to learn about safety is to be told. While you can have it happen to you, it really sucks.***

Shino · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 1:23 pm Post subject:

Turn your ceiling fans on the winter setting and leave them on half speed.

Wiggle

This is more of an energy conservation tip than a safty tip

Aradia · Teh Creator of Cute Gender: Joined: 16 Jul 2004

Thanks Shino.

And another one, If you have any windows facing north, get some heavy duty plastic and put it over the windows. That can help keep the air where it should be. More energy saving, but eh.

Kiyomi · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 1:52 pm Post subject:

Drive like it is actually winter and the roads are icy. I cannot believe how many cars end up in the ditch a the beginning of each winter, and most of them are people who have been here while. They seem to think that since they have been here a while, the laws of physics do not apply to them. Wach out for black ice. It is totally invisible and looks just like the pavement. It is especially likely over bridges where the wind cools off water faster and keeps snow from sticking (which is what makes the ice visable, normally).

Keiji · The Official Candy Kitty Gender: Joined: 04 Oct 2004

If you have heaters that are on constantly, don't leave them on if you aren't in the room ~ They eat up so much energy...I've got one of those, and built in heater things. The built-ins shut off after they get to a certain temperature. This is the way you wanna go~

And now I'm wondering if I need a carbon monoxide detector...I don't have a fire place...but we've got a water heater...can those be dangerous?

Kiyomi · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 11:10 am Post subject:

Oh, always make sure your car has plenty of gas. If you get stuck somewhere, you want enough gas to keep the heater running to stay warm. And some flare lights. Well, not the actual flares (unless you want), but there are these lights that are in a round tube that flash. (Someone help me out with the name, here?) That way if you get stuck, someone can find you more easily. Always a good idea to have blankets in the car, too, if you are travelling away from a well-used street.

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Get winter tires. "Four seasons" is a myth, you must call them "summer tires" or else you'll end up hugging the siderail like I did.

Shandriz · Your Death Shall be Swift Gender: Joined: 28 Sep 2003

You forgot the most IMPORTANT winter safety tips!

Wear multiple layers of clothing. This includes t-shirt, sweatshirt, -and- jacket. Also, if you're like me and get cold easily (mostly because I have no bodyweight, but that's beside the point) you want to make sure you have gloves, scarf, and hat nearby just in case.

I've been keeping hat/gloves/scarf in my car for a couple weeks now, as well as an extra sweatshirt and my jacket just in case.

Once it gets really cold, double layers of socks is good too. You can actually buy some pairs of socks that are already that way.

Satine · Evil Onigiri Age: 37 Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Also, keep nonperishable food (energy bars, dried fruit, etc) in your trunk, along with some water. Just in case you get stuck somewhere for a long time, you'll have food and water. Blankets and a sleeping bag are good things to have too. Keep a car emergency and a first aid kit with you, along with a show shovel (I believe they make folding ones just for this purpose), sand/salt/ice melt, and snow chains. Ice scrapers/snow brushes are indispensable.
Make sure your antifreeze is full. If you have a diesel car, make sure your glow plugs or block heaters are in good condition. And don't let your gas tank get below 1/4 full. This is especially important in the winter, because your lines could freeze.
And just a general tip: make sure all your lights are working. This is important all year, but especially in the winter. If it's snowing or dark out and your lights are out, you're practically invisible.

reaper · I miss you Shar Gender: Joined: 28 Dec 2002

Probably the most important that hasn’t been mentioned.

Walking on Ice: My years of dealing with Midwest winters has given me great skill in this. Make sure your weight is distributed equally. And plant your feet solidly. That is really all there is to it, U can walk fast on ice with no problem like that.

Falling on Ice: DO NOT try and break your fall, try and use your body to take the fall with a slight roll kind of thing, sounds weird but its better than a broken arm.