RE: Ice and Snow tips

RE: Ice and Snow tips (Full Version)

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GYPSYMAMBO -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/7/2010 3:00:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: numuncular mercifully -30 doesnt happen here.... IN December it was -46 and -52 here..Edmonton AB.. adn I found out what bush was for when I walked to the store..I kid you not.. My coat was open I was( nether lips) froze shut upon returning home. It is a curse to be wet in this weather. MY metal necklace also "burned" my chest. I would not have gone out if I had known the temp..after about -30 it si simply plain fuckiing numbing cold.. TIPS: HAIR dyers can make temp. warmers or unfreeze pipes.. Leave water running at a drizzle to avoid freeze up Lard /body heatwill unthaw skin slowerand without as much pain as heat..heat will cause you to scream as skin unthaws Grow out your bush for winter If you are skidding on ice...pump your brakes rapidly..if all else fails shift to reverse.. keep a kit in your car of candles..mitts..ugly but warm socks.hats etc.. * DO NOT shovel ALL snow away AT ONCE.. it will wait..and many many folks have a heart attacks from this. Stay IN if possible and lament and compare stories with others GM

PeonForHer -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/7/2010 8:44:50 PM)
Noble Forumeers, Thanks enormously for all these fine tips. Lots of common sense - and some ingenious ideas, too. I can tell you that I've taken good stock of them all. The weather here's set to stay for a week or so. We're bound to get reports of accidents due to it, most likely on the roads. One last little thing: does it work to drive a few screws into a pair of boots - to stop oneself sliding around on the ice when walking? Has anyone here tried that?

AquaticSub -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/7/2010 10:34:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: PeonForHer 3 - Stop moaning. At least we're not having to fight off the Germans at the same time. Now I need to go watch some "Foyle's War"... Anyway... yes, the kitty litter is a good thing. Also, put salt out your walkways and driveways to help melt any ice and provide more traction. Once it's a bit melty, you can scrap it off with a shovel. Do not drive if you can avoid it. It's just not worth it. Stock up on food and whatever you NEED to have around the house when the roads are clear and then stay home. See about getting mutiple pairs of mittens, hats, scarves, and socks that can all go in the dryer together. If you have to go outside mutiple times, put the first set in the dryer and then even if they aren't ready, you've got another set ready to go. This is also nice for pants if the area has slush that gets the bottom of your pants soaked. Also, if you have piercings that are exposed to the air, I would suggest removing them if you can. There is nothing quite like rubbing your ear with your hands and cursing the world because the INSIDE of your ear is so cold it hurts... Make your peace with hat hair. It's there to stay till things warm up. Accept it and ban cameras from your presence till the world thaws again. There are downloadable programs that will track the weather on your computer while on and send you instant alerts. I suggest looking into them and running them at least before you plan on leaving to see what is going on. And for the women... if on your monthly... wear pants and warm underwear. Frozen pads are not a good thing. [:'(]

LadiTrukDriver -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/7/2010 11:39:33 PM)
When I was growing up in NJ the pipes froze & my mom used a heating pad set on high to thaw where it was frozen at. As for something I seen very briefly mentioned, a car kit, it is HIGHLY essential & can save your life, here is a list 1 gallon of water 1 coffee can or similar (to melt CLEAN snow to drink if you don't have water or it's frozen, also for a little bit of heat) candle (put in the coffee can to burn for a little heat) blanket (as heavy as possible) a small shovel (if you get stuck in a snow bank & can't get out, if your car still runs make sure you that get the snow away from the exhaust pipe ASAP or the fumes will build up in the car) extra socks (preferably thermal) gloves (as heavy as possible) extra change of clothes for extra layers food a fully charged cell phone pillow (you may be there awhile, including roads closed due to weather or accidents & you can't get to an exit to get to a motel/hotel) A gas can full of gas if possible (not too wise if you're a smoker) Extra cash (gas, motel, food, tow truck) That's all I can think of at the moment, but the fact that I'm exhausted doesn't help after I was playing in the snow & black ice & dealing with frozen fingers & toes today...gotta love the after affects of frostbite, yep! Lauri

Ladynslave -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/7/2010 11:55:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: PeonForHe One last little thing: does it work to drive a few screws into a pair of boots - to stop oneself sliding around on the ice when walking? Has anyone here tried that? Yes, tried, and yes it helps but if you have smooth bottom boots they make a sandpaper looking sticky pad for traction in women's heels that will work better. If you must use screws, make sure they aren't longer than the heels of your boots, not a good thing to notice as you rush out the door late for an appointment.

Ladynslave -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 12:02:47 AM)
They also make hand warmers (they warm when exposed to air) that can be put in mittens and boots, they say they last for 8 hours, but I don't count on more than 5. You can also use the sticky ones that they make for ladies cramps over your kidneys. Will keep you warm but can cause back pain so be careful.

Sanity -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 3:43:03 AM)
In rear-wheel-drive vehicles, put extra weight in back to help with traction. I use two one-hundred pound sand bags, and it helps get you going on the ice quite a bit. Don't underestimate how dangerous cold weather is, it can kill you so be prepared to get stranded when you go out into it. At home, frozen pipes will often burst when they thaw and flood everything below them so take the steps you have to to maintain them. Check your outside animal's water frequently... and feed them extra to help them fight the cold.

housesub4you -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 4:09:31 AM)
Do not eat yellow snow

LadyEllen -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 4:20:02 AM)
Pedestrians - save ££££££s on expensive snow shoes by tying Chinese cookware to your everyday shoes and "wokking" with only reasonable difficulty over any frozen surface. Amaze your friends, your family and the on call GP who is called out to section you. E

DesFIP -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 4:27:21 AM)
If you are skidding on ice, don't hit the brakes. Steer into the skid until you have control of the car again and then slowly turn the wheel to get the car into the correct direction. 4 wheel drive helps in snow, nothing helps on ice. Putting the car into low gear will slow it down without causing a skid by hitting the brakes, but be aware it's rough on your transmission if you slam it in frequently. Learn where the black ice spots are on your normal commute and stop before them, then slowly creep over them. I've taught the kids to stop a car length before the corner because of this, didn't think to warn The Man and he hit it yesterday. Hate listening to the ABS brakes chattering.

stella41b -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 4:48:20 AM)
Peon Can you not get segs then out West? You know, the little kidney shaped metal plates you used to be able to get at Woolies and you just step on them and they attach themselves to your soles. Not only do they grip but put 2-3 of them on the toe and heel of each foot and you can have yourself a little tap-dancing routine. Or how about some football boots? st.

sirsholly -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 4:58:03 AM)
a good driving tip. Buy several 40 pound bags of cat litter and put them in the trunk. The extra weight will help on bad roads. If you ever get stuck, the cat litter can be used under the tires for traction. If you do not have a need for the cat litter when the winter is over, donate it to an animal shelter.

Domin8tingUrDrmz -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 5:31:28 AM)
Get chains for your tires. Here in the states most automotive stores sell tire chains - hopefully they do across the pond too. As others have mentioned, keep blankets in your car and additional warm clothing (enough for each passenger), water, matches, flares, a shovel, and anything else you'd keep in a survival kit, including first aid. If you get stuck, it could take time for someone to unstick you - the emergency personnel are likely unsticking others. Bitter cold can and does kill. If you do get stuck, stay with your car and use a flare or other means to attract attention. Make sure your antifreeze is in good condition so your car continues to operate properly, many overlook their antifreeze. If the cold does dip into negative digits, consider wrapping a blanket over your car battery and engine overnight, then as others have suggested, let your car warm up for a bit before driving. Wrap your pipes in a blanket and keep the faucet on a low drip to help prevent bursting pipes. Lip balm. Cold air destroys lips. Salt, sand, and cat litter are all good mediums to provide traction on your walkways, and are good to carry in your car for both weight and for traction for your tires if you get stuck.

sirsholly -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 5:33:18 AM)
quote: As others have mentioned, keep blankets in your car and additional warm clothing (enough for each passenger), water, matches, flares, a shovel, and anything else you'd keep in a survival kit, including first aid. If you get stuck, it could take time for someone to unstick you - the emergency personnel are likely unsticking others. Bitter cold can and does kill. If you do get stuck, stay with your car and use a flare or other means to attract attention. and always have a full tank of gas!!!!

sirsholly -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 5:43:02 AM)
quote: If you are skidding on ice, don't hit the brakes. Steer into the skid until you have control of the car again. Good advice, but geez...so hard to do!! I think it is natural to want to turn out of the skid. My high school driving instructor suggested dropping your hands from the wheel as opposed to trying to turn. I have done this a few times and, thank God, have always ended up ok. I told this to hubby when he first moved out to the boonies with me and he thought it was insane to let go of the wheel. But when he rolled the SUV last winter he admitted it was probably because he tried to turn out of a skid.

a49015Dom4subF -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 6:07:36 AM)
One thing I would ask you to think about is this...The bags of whatever to add weight are a trade off. Yes, t puts some extra weight on the drive tires, which is mandatory if you drive a pickup but remember that if the back end begins to slide, the weight will speed up the swing. Slow down. Remember that with an automatic transmission, many times to get started, all you have to do is put it in drive, release the brakes and let the vehicle idle out. Do not make any sudden/rapid changes in your driving i.e. do not stomp on the brakes or quickly turn the wheel. If you know there is a downhill slope before the stop sign, begin braking before you reach the slope. Go to a large parking area late at night after the business closes and practice by making your vehicle slide and correcting it. I've done this for years and with a rear wheel drive vehicle, my response is so automatic that my rear end never slides more than a foot or 2 of line under any conditions.

sirsholly -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 6:13:35 AM)
quote: Slow down. the best advice yet, in my opinion[:)]

barelynangel -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 6:21:06 AM)
I am not sure of this has been said but IN THE TRUNK 1. Keep a WARM blanket or large winter coat in your trunk or yes even a sleeping bag you can unzip fully, A few pairs of warm sock, winter type boats, extra gloves, a stocking hat, a scarf etc. JUST in case you get stranded even just waiting for a tow truck or such without heat you have the ability to stay warm outside, change gloves, socks, shoes etc if yours get wet, and put a hat on your head --- this all goes for if you have to walk somewhere cause you are stranded. Do this for your kids also. Just throw it all in a bag in the trunk. Its a known fact that if your feet, hands and head are warm, the rest of you will be likely also. Also, to help not feel the BITING cold when you get out of your warm car, when you are warm in your car -- WARM not hot, take off your gloves and hat and unzip your jacket. When you are close to your destination, start turning off the heat, yes turn it off. Put your gloves, hat and zip your jacket back up BEFORE you get out of the car. This will help acclimate your body from going from in and out of a car. Undressing so to speak allows your body to not get OVER heated which means you will feel MORE cold outside, and turning the heat off will slowly get your body use to the cold again, putting everything back on before you get out the car will help protect you from the cold. angel

Sanity -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 9:48:06 AM)
When I was a teen we could go to mall parking lots during off hours and practice driving on the ice and snow but they've clamped down on that, calling our cookies and other practice maneuvers "reckless driving" so there isn't any way today's kids can practice for losing control. My first car, I had a VW Beetle that I used to take out on a large frozen lake, get moving at top speed (90 mph or so) and put it into a spin, just for fun. Or get going in reverse as fast as I could and go into a spin that way. Start doing cookies from a dead stop, expanding them into ever widening cookies as I went through the gears. Everything I could think of... And so guess what? I can drive pretty well in bad conditions now. That lake's all fenced off now though, of course. quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly quote: If you are skidding on ice, don't hit the brakes. Steer into the skid until you have control of the car again. Good advice, but geez...so hard to do!! I think it is natural to want to turn out of the skid. My high school driving instructor suggested dropping your hands from the wheel as opposed to trying to turn. I have done this a few times and, thank God, have always ended up ok. I told this to hubby when he first moved out to the boonies with me and he thought it was insane to let go of the wheel. But when he rolled the SUV last winter he admitted it was probably because he tried to turn out of a skid.

JonnieBoy -> RE: Ice and Snow tips (1/8/2010 10:55:10 AM)
I agree ... practice is good ... and effective. Judging from what I'm seeing ... it's clearly not a popular option ! My tip ? ... stay in with a few jugs and enjoy the world darts ... Pirate

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