Be prepared in any situation

Times Reporter

 

The severe winter storm over the weekend of Jan. 8. should have been an eye opener for many people. With whiteout conditions and many people being stuck in their vehicle for hours on end, the RCMP and Fire Department were surprised at how many people weren’t prepared for an emergency situation. 

“I think people have to remember to prioritize the nature of their trip and balance the risk out with the benefits,” said Cpl. Duane White, with the Strathmore RCMP.

“Is where you need to travel to, worth loading up your family in the car and driving through dangerous weather, and if you need to, then you need to be prepared.”

“What would be that important that you have to travel in weather like this? The thing is to keep lots of food in the winter so you don’t have to head out,” said John Silva, with the Strathmore Fire Department. Stocking up on everyday household items is recommended in the winter to prevent the need to travel in bad weather. Every vehicle should have an emergency kit in it, no matter how long a person may have to travel on any given day. There are tips and advice all over the Internet about how to prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle.    

“A person can add whatever they need. It doesn’t take up that much room in the trunk to put that bag in there, but if you ever do need it….it’s between life and death,” said Silva. 

Some of the things recommended are a full tank of gas, blankets, non-perishable food, a compass and travel maps, blankets, extra clothing, a mason jar and a votive candle. A candle may sound like an odd item, but it can keep a vehicle above freezing temperatures. The important thing to remember with the candle is to keep your window cracked just a bit. If a person had a tin cup, they would be able to melt clean snow in it above the candle to drink if needed. 

“You put that (a kit) in your car, at least it’s something. You might never ever use it, but then the day that you (take it out), a storm blows in and you’re done,” said Silva. 

“There’s not reason you couldn’t keep it in there all year round.”

He said even if you see a light in the distance, it is like seeing a mirage in the desert. It’s just too hard to judge the distance. Having a GPS is also a good thing, because it has the coordinates of where a vehicle/person is stalled, which will help emergency crews in locating the vehicle. 

“If you decide to leave your vehicle for any reason, whether it’s a storm or you’re broken down, leave a note telling which way you went. But if it’s cold out you’re best to stay with your vehicle,” said Silva. 

There are premade emergency kits available at places like Walmart, Canadian Tire and Home Hardware.