Winter safety becomes all the more important when the Fahrenheit falls and brings with it strenuous circumstances. Individuals need to be doubly careful especially when:
- Commuting under snowfall
- Clearing snow and other debris from building roofs
- Executing tasks in and around places with disrupted power lines
Below are some winter safety guidelines to ensure winter safety.
Vehicular Driving
We all commute to work even during the cold season, regardless of whether it is snowing or not. Driving carefully is one of the most important winter safety considerations that some people tend to overlook. Proper maintenance of vehicular parts such as engines, wires, brakes, tires, headlights and brake lights etc. is also equally crucial.
If Your Vehicle Breaks Down
- Stay Indoors
- Call for help
- Keep people at work and home informed
- Turn on the car and rev the engine for about ten minutes every hour
- Keep calm
Clearing Snow
Part of ensuring winter safety has to do with tedious tasks such as clearing pathways and roads of snow with a shovel. Care must be taken as such tasks are time consuming and involve a lot of physical exertion. Make sure you are properly warmed up before you exert yourself.
Using Electrical Equipment
Make sure that tools and equipment that run on electricity have proper grounding. Never leave electrical equipment with the power supply turned on.
Maintain an Emergency Kit with the following:
- Ice scraper
- Snow brush
- Flashlight
- Batteries and chargers
- Shovel
- Tow chain
- Traction aids
- Emergency flares
- Jumper cables
- Food & Water
- Road maps
- Blankets
- Change of clothes
- Gloves
Power Lines
Disrupted power lines are a common occurrence during the winter season but also a major winter safety concern. Repairing damaged lines can pose a tricky situation and increase the possibility of
- Electric shocks
- Fire hazards due to explosions or failure
- Damage due to environmental hazards such as extreme winds, fallen trees etc
Make sure you adhere to all the necessary precautions and best practice measures while restoring such infrastructural damage in cold weather.