Survive Extreme Cold – During Storm Warnings

Stay indoors and off of roadways unless absolutely necessary to best survive extreme cold. During negative temperatures, avoid being outside for long periods of time and be aware of the signs of hypothermia and frost bite.

Low visibility and hazardous road conditions can increase the risk of accidents. These factors can also leave drivers with car troubles in potentially dangerous circumstances. Always have an emergency kit containing winter gear and emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Prepare for potential power outages and stay aware of current emergency information and alerts. During extreme weather conditions, some communities are without utilities or other services for long periods of time.

Have an emergency kit ready at home in an easily accessible place. This can be greatly beneficial during unexpected or fast moving storms.

Prepare your home to be well insulated to retain warmth and to keep pipes from freezing. Cover vehicles or park them in a sheltered area.

Dress warmly and check on friends, family and neighbors. Don’t let children play outside for long periods of time. Bring animals indoors and don’t allow them outdoors unsupervised.

Alaska winters can be hard to handle, especially as we continue to experience negative temperatures. It is important to prepare ahead of time before heading out in the Alaskan weather, even if you plan to be out for a short time.

Layer Your Clothing To Survive Extreme Cold

It is important to layer clothes when going out into the Arctic cold, especially if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time. Layers allow you to remove or add as your body adjusts to the temperatures. The best part about layers is if the temperature drops unexpectedly, you can add more so that you do not have to adjust plans.

Remove layers to avoid overheating and causing your body to try to cool itself down. Sweating in layers of warm clothing is not only uncomfortable, it also increases the possibility of dehydration and hypothermia. Stay well hydrated and come indoors often to regulate your body temperature.

Understanding Frost Bite

Frost bite can happen even if the temperature is not negative. The temperature of an object can be lower than the temperature of its environment, so even if it doesn’t seem too cold, you can still become victim of frost bite.

Frost bite has three stages. The first degree of frost bite involves irritation of the skin, minor redness and little pain. The second degree of frost bite involves blisters and generally does not cause permanent damage but is more painful. The third degree of frost bite involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage. This type of frost bite is the most painful.

The hands and feet are the most susceptible to frost bite in the Arctic. The best way to avoid frost bite is to wear gloves appropriate for the weather conditions. Very thin gloves are not good for extreme temperatures and will not properly protect you from frost bite. Wearing appropriate socks to keep feet dry and well insulated is also very important when the temperature drops.

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

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: Modern Warrior Project; E-Medicine Health

Image Source: Modern Warrior Project

Snowmachine Safety – Starting Your Snowmachine

First, before starting your snowmachine, make sure it is pointed in a direction that is safe. If you start the machine and it lurches forward, you want to make sure the area in front of you is clear.

Second, hold the handlebar of your snowmachine with one hand when starting it. Again, should the snowmachine start suddenly, you want to be in control. There are several safe positions you can be in while starting your snowmachine:

• Use your left hand to hold the left handlebar while your right knee is kneeling on the seat’s left side. This way you can use your right hand to reach over and pull the ripcord.
• Sit on the machine, use your left hand to hold the left handlebar, and use your right hand to push the electric start button.
• Stand to the right side of the snowmachine and use one hand to either pull the ripcord or push the electric start button while holding the right handlebar with the other hand.
• Third, if you used a ripcord to start your snowmachine, make sure to throttle it a little bit after it has started. After throttling, it will come back to an idle. If the machine is cold, you may need to throttle it a couple times and prime or choke the engine, especially if this is the first time you started the engine. If you are having trouble starting your snowmachine, be careful to stop pulling the ripcord before the engine gets flooded with gas. Simply wait one or two minutes and try again.

Play in the Snow Safely

Snowmachine safety will help you avoid an accident, as well as preventing injuries. Alaskan residents who suffer an injury on a snowmachine may want to investigate how the crash occurred. It’s possible you may have a claim for damages. If you want guidance in this process, schedule a free consultation with Johnson Law.

Winter sports are popular in Alaska, especially riding snowmachines (also known as snowmobiles). Each year, many people, including children, suffer serious injuries while using a snowmachine. Head injuries are the leading serious injury on snowmachines.

Snowmachine Safety – Passengers Are At Greater Risk

Unknown to many, head injuries are more common among snowmachine passengers than drivers. It takes strength and stamina to practice snowmachine safety as a passenger. Passengers must hold on tightly for long periods of time. They are unable to see snowmachine shifts in advance. This is even more difficult when a snowmachine is running over bumpy ground at high speed. Accidents occur more often when children double on snowmachines. Youth snowmachines are not designed for passengers.

Passengers also distract drivers, affecting snowmachine safety. All drivers, young and old, must pay close attention. No matter the ages of our passengers, drivers are responsible for very precious cargo. Even machines built for passengers increase risk of injuries. Passengers are often higher, making the snowmachine less stable.

Does The Snowmachine Fit Your Child?

It is important for young riders to be on the right size snowmachines. Riders who are too large overload the capability of a youth machine. Even more dangerous are riders who are too small for the horsepower and weight of adult machines. They cannot reach the controls and have difficulty controlling the snowmachine. Their feet dangle above the running boards and foot wells. Without solid footing, children cannot shift body weight while riding. Riders who are too small cannot shift their weight to balance the sled.

Learn More About Snowmachine Safety For The Entire Family.

Great sites such as:  SnowTracks and Snoriders are entirely devoted to helping keep you and your loved ones safer while enjoying the great outdoors. In addition, sites dedicated to child safety and well-being, such as Caring for Kids provide great ideas for added safety while snowmachining with your kids.

This piece on Snowmachine Safety is the seventh of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Heating Your Home; Cold Weather Vehicle Safety; Driving in Ice and Snow; 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: Alaska Safe Riders; SnowmobileInfo.org;

Image Source: SnowmobileInfo.org

Preparation and Ongoing Safety For Heating Your Home

Properly preparing the source for heating your home will keep you and your family safer and warmer during Alaska’s cold winter months. Children should not stand too closely or lay right next to a fire or stove. Keep children safe by speaking with them about the dangers of fire. Explain the importance of allowing plenty of room near a fire so that no one gets hurt.

Inspect your home heating fuel tank to help avoid costly cleanup and damage. Keep tanks and piping away from areas with high traffic. Check to make sure the vent line is clear of foreign matter. Ensure visible connections are clean and flexible, giving them space to move with the freeze/thaw cycles.

Discuss fire safety when using an open flame for heating your home. Clean up around the fireplace or gas stove before lighting anything. Some things can get too hot and catch fire unexpectedly. Avoid disaster with a little cleanup ahead of time.

Heating Your Home Using A Fuel Tank

If heating your home with a fuel tank, track the level of fuel, especially when temperatures drop below zero.  With a full tank, you won’t have to worry about the fuel level running low. Measure and monitor fuel usage and compare it to past seasons.

The fuel for heating your home is poured through a pipe leading into the tank. Clear path to your tank to ensure the company that fills your oil tank always has good access. Some Alaskans fill their own tank to save money.  Be cautious when filling up your own tank in extreme cold.  Protect yourself by wearing cold weather gear. At least wear heavy-duty gloves and a coat. 

Heating Your Home With A Pellet Or Wood Stove

Keep a surplus of wood or pellet fuel for heating your home.  If you use a wood burner, make sure to burn well dried wood in order to prevent condensation in the chimney. 

Condensation also occurs from a process through the exhaust gases. Exhaust gases contain water. The fire vaporizes the water which is carried through the smoke.  In extreme temperatures, the gases get so cold they freeze inside the chimney, preventing proper air flow.  Properly insulated stove pipes on your furnace help prevent the condensation from occurring.

Fireplaces

Fireplaces are a great way to warm up your home on cold winter days but there are several safety concerns with indoor fires. Ensure you are practicing good fire safety for not only open flame but gas fireplaces too.

Open the damper or flue on fireplaces before starting a fire. The smoke is drawn out of the house eliminating build up in the house. Use the proper type of wood for fireplaces. Use well-dried and well-aged wood for less smoke buildup. Finally, get your chimney cleaned by a professional each year to avoid build up on the chimney walls.

Gas Stoves

Do not fall into a lull with fire safety because you think gas stoves or gas-powered fireplaces are safer for heating your home. The gas stoves get really hot and increase safety hazards because people are often less careful with them. Never store items on gas stoves. Jackets, blankets, stuffed animals and other items can melt easily from the heat produced by a gas stove or fireplace.

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

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

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

Sources: Cooperative Extension Service; SOA Prevention Preparedness

Image Source: Taylored Restoration Alaska

January Temperatures

The average temperatures throughout Alaska for January range from -20 to 40 Fahrenheit. Approximately one-third of each year, Alaska sees temperatures fall below freezing. Cold weather can be uncomfortable and dangerous. Preparation is key.  Cold weather safety sources recommend preparations at home and for your vehicle. By being prepared, you can stay warm, safe, and survive freezing temperatures.

The Coldest Month Series

This January series’ topics will include:

• Outdoor Winter Walking Safety
• Keep Kids Safe and Warm
• Home Heating Safety
• Cold Weather Vehicle Safety
• Driving in Ice and Snow
• Snowmachine Safety
• Removing Ice and Snow Safely
• Surviving Extreme Cold

Being prepared for the coldest month of the year is very important for every environment, whether at home or in your vehicle. 

January Safety at Home

Keep your house operating during the cold Alaska January. Make sure your home has a well-maintained heating source and that you keep up with maintenance so that your heating source does not fail when you need it most. 

January Safety in Your Car

Maintaining your car during January and all winter months is especially important. No one wants to break down on the side of the road during a snowstorm or in freezing temperatures.  Check your tires, your gas tank, and your emergency supplies before traveling in extreme cold. By preparing for January, the coldest month of the year, you will be able to stay warm and enjoy it.

This January preparation article introduces a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; 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

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

Information Source: Alaska Department of Natural Resources;  Current Results

Image Source: Hamlet Hub