Before traveling, check your vehicle and increase your vehicle safety. Make sure your car is ready to drive in cold weather. Emergency supplies in your car are essential in case of an accident.

Basic Winterizing Increases Vehicle Safety

If your vehicle isn’t already winterized, do it today.

There are a few basic things Alaskans do to increase vehicle safety through the winter months. The first step is to outfit your vehicle with a battery warmer, an oil pan warmer. The warmers will keep fluids from freezing so that vehicles start during freezing temperatures. Check all fluid levels regularly and use winter weight fluids.

Winter windshield wipers and an ice scraper are also helpful additions to your vehicle safety. Winter wipers help combat ice during winter months and a scraper continually makes itself useful.

If possible, install an auto start system. While not completely necessary, an auto start makes warming vehicles before driving more convenient, thus increasing vehicle safety.

Winter Tires Increases Vehicle Safety

Tires are one of the most important things to consider for vehicle safety during winter months. All season, winter tires, studded tires and even tire chains are all options for better traction in ice and snow.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is even more important for vehicle safety, regardless of the tire you choose. When temperatures drop, air pressure in your tire will also drop. It is important to check tire pressure regularly and maintain it at the manufacturer’s recommendations, increasing vehicle safety.

Check the air pressure in your tires to make sure they are at a good PSI. The PSI, or pounds per square inch, varies per vehicle. Poor air pressure in your tires increases the risk for accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022 more than 550 people died on the road in tire-related crashes.

Before You Drive

Check the fuel level in your gas tank. A full tank is always best, especially when the temperatures drop below zero. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cold weather affects your vehicle in more ways than you might expect. “Cold weather effects can vary by vehicle model. However, expect conventional gasoline vehicles to suffer a 10% to 20% fuel economy loss in city driving and a 15% to 33% loss on short trips.”

Emergency Supplies In Your Car Increases Vehicle Safety

Prepare your vehicle for severe winter weather. Your vehicle safety gear should include jumper cables, an ice scraper, snow brush, road flares, and extra winter clothing such as blankets, mittens and socks; and a first aid kit. These vehicle safety items are available as pre-packaged sets or custom-built. Other supplies to consider are:

• A bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter to help with traction
• A snow shovel
• A tow strap
• Hand warmers
• Tire gauge

These supplies will be handy in an accident or if you need to pull over in extreme weather. Keep the supplies in your back seat, not your trunk to increase the benefit to your vehicle safety.  The trunk may be damaged in an accident, eliminating access to your supplies. 

Being prepared for the freezing temperatures will increase vehicle safety, keeping you and your loved ones warmer in emergency situations.

This piece on Cold Weather Vehicle Safety is the fifth of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Heating Your Home; Driving in Ice and Snow; Snowmachine Safety; Removing Ice and Snow Safely; and Surviving Extreme Cold.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson Law, P.C. to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; U.S. Department of Energy; The Farmers’ Almanac

Image Source: The Farmers’ Almanac

Outdoor Winter – To and From Your Home or Workplace

Always use handrails and other secure objects to brace yourself when stepping onto a potentially slippery surface. Use ice melt to keep the walkway surrounding your home clear of ice. A pair of ice cleats that attach to your footwear can be a huge help to preventing a slip and fall injury. Ice and traction cleats are removable, but having a spare pair of shoes to walk through buildings is helpful for those who don’t want to put cleats on and off their boots or shoes.

Prepare For Slippery Conditions

When outdoor winter walking through neighborhoods or along public trails, it’s a good idea to bring a walking stick or trekking poles. Increasing your traction and overall stability during the winter months is very important to avoid slipping and falling.

Walk more slowly than usual and take shorter steps to avoid your feet slipping on ice. Never run across an icy, wet, or snowy area. Be cautious and step carefully across potentially slippery places.

Keep your hands out of your pockets in case you do slip and fall. Having your hands at your sides increases your chances of breaking your fall or catching yourself and softening your impact. Wear gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm.

Hiking the Winter Outdoors

Outdoor Winter Walking in Alaska can be very rewarding, even in the cold. Hiking during Alaska’s winter months is not unusual. Many residents enjoy the outdoors year-round. When hiking in cold weather, it’s important to keep in mind the various risks and potential hazards.

Make a plan and be prepared for potential weather changes and adjustments to your trip. Always tell someone where you’re going, the route you intend to take, and when you intend to return. In the event of an injury or an accident, it’s important for someone to know where you’ll be so help can find you if needed.

If this is your first outdoor winter walking hike during winter, don’t push your limits. Try a test hike that won’t be particularly difficult to complete. This gives you the opportunity to gauge how you respond to the winter weather and to test your hiking equipment, such as a new GPS device or new boots.

Prepare Before Hiking

Remember to wear warm layers of clothing under an outer jacket to protect from the elements, such as wind or snow. Keep your feet warm and dry with appropriate socks and footwear. Always bring spare gloves, a hat, and socks in case your first set get wet. Pack an emergency kit with a space blanket, and extra food and water, in the event you’re outdoors longer than anticipated.

Stay safe while winter outdoor walking and enjoying all Alaska has to offer. Watch for Alaskan wildlife such as moose and caribou. Always carry bear spray when hiking during all months, regardless of whether bears are believed to be hibernating. Wildlife can be unpredictable, much like the weather in Alaska. Natural hazards, such as avalanches or mudslides, are also important to be aware of. Before hiking in the hills or mountains it’s a good idea to review local weather forecasts and bulletins detailing current risks in that area.

Steps To Take Following A Winter Outdoors Slip And Fall Injury

Slipping and falling on ice can lead to serious injuries. Head injuries, herniated disks, and fractured bones are common injuries arising from slip and fall accidents. If you fall this winter, don’t delay seeing your primary care physician. The sooner you’re able to see a doctor, the sooner you’ll be able to get the appropriate treatment to heal your injuries.

If you’re able to, take pictures of the area you fell and write down exactly what happened leading to your fall. If possible, ask all witnesses to write a statement and leave contact information. Ask the surrounding homes or businesses if they have outdoor cameras that may have recorded your fall.

This piece on Outdoor Winter Walking Safety is the second of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Home Heating Safety; Cold Weather Vehicle Safety; Driving in Ice and Snow; Snowmachine Safety; Removing Ice and Snow Safely; and Surviving Extreme Cold.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Secondary Sources: OSHA; Alpine Fit

Image Source: Alpine Fit

Holiday Events

Many businesses and organizations have holiday events like making decorations, gift exchanges, and holiday parties. There are also many community events, such as public markets and craft fairs. Keep children safe. Be sure to confirm plans with your family of when and where to meet up if you divide the group in a public area. Remind kids to never leave with a stranger.

Be especially careful when gift-giving. Buy only safe toys and gifts.

Be aware of potentially harmful situations, such as dangerous decorations, unstable rides or attractions, slippery walkways, and ice hanging over building entrances. Many young children enjoy climbing onto things, even when told not to. Keep children safe. Warn children of the danger for severe injuries from falls or from objects falling onto them. While most places take care of their sidewalks and entryways, it’s good to show children to be aware of where they are walking and to be cautious of icy conditions.

Keep Children Safe During Outdoor Activities

Winter break is the perfect opportunity for kids to spend time outdoors with friends. Snowball fights, building snowmen and forts, making snow angels, and winter sports are all waiting outside. Keep children safe. Before they run out the door, ensure they’re wearing appropriate clothing and gear. Wearing properly fitting boots, coats, snow-pants, gloves, and hats keep children warm and dry while enjoying the snow.

Also, know your kids’ plan before they leave. Make sure you know who they’re with, what they’re doing, where they’re going, and when they’ll be home.

When participating in winter sports, be sure your child is equipped with protective gear. Keep children safe. Remind your child to always wear a helmet when snowboarding and downhill skiing. Bring children indoors to regularly warm-up after playing outside in the winter to avoid sickness and cold related injuries.

Monitor Temperatures

Children are some of the most at-risk individuals during winter. They love being outside, but with outdoor activities comes danger. While parents generally put their children’s needs first, that is not always the case when children are with others. For instance, at school children should be monitored to ensure they do not get hurt.

In winter, it is even more important to watch children, since temperatures can drop dramatically resulting in hypothermia or frostbite. Keep children safe. It is always a good idea to keep your children in warm areas or near warm areas when they’re playing.

Keep Children Safe From Snowplow Dangers

Another risk to children in the winter is use of snowplows. Alaska’s snowplow operators work hard to make the roads you travel on as safe as possible. Make sure children understand the dangers of snow plows and how to play more safely.

Remind your child to stay away from the roads on days when they are home from school. Keep children safe by ensuring they dress in bright colors and reflective gear to help drivers see them. If they play in the roadways or in snow berms, it’s possible they could be hit by a snowplow.

From all of us at Johnson Law, P.C., we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Secondary Source: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; Mayo Clinic Health System

Image Source: Pack More Into Life