Wishing you a safe winter

HOWDY to ALL YOU FLOATERS AND N0N-FLOATERS,

HAPPY NEW YEAR to ya and your families. I hope everybody got through the Holidays in one piece, and with some money left over! This letter once again gets turned in before some of the events happen this month and you already know what happened last month, so it is kinda hard to come up with things to tell you about and things to keep Chris's fingers busy. Last month I almost went on a safety kick when telling you about Larry S. and I getting lost in the fog and very cold weather… aren't you glad I didn't? Well, being that I don't have much to write about this month, I'm going to give you a few more ideas.

Even with the awesome weather we've been having, I'm sure winter is still on its way and the worst is coming. Here in the Pacific NW our weather is constantly changing and the chances of getting caught in adverse weather in our cars are high. In times of emergency, however, people often act incorrectly, either staying with or abandoning their cars at the wrong time. A mistake can be fatal. After almost every disaster, search and rescue teams find victims who might have survived if they had known whether to stay or leave their cars. So here's a couple of emergency tips to keep in mind. You might want to write these down and add some ideas of your own and put them in your glove box.

Snow storms first… Avoid driving in severe winter storms. If you are caught in a storm and your car becomes disabled, stay in the car and wait for rescue. Do not attempt to walk from the car unless you can see a definite safe haven at a reasonable distance. Ask Larry or me, disorientation during blizzards or whiteouts or fog storms comes quickly. Turn on your car's engine for short periods of time to stay warm, but always leave a "downwind" window open slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow. Exercise occasionally by clapping hands and moving around. Do not remain in one position for long, but don't overexert yourself by shoveling or pushing the car. Leave the dome light on in the car at night for rescuers to see. If there are two or more of you in the car, sleep in shifts, (union naps). One more thing… keep your gas tanks full this time of year!

Windstorms: Avoid going out during them in the first place. If you are not close to any safe haven, stay in your car, and stay far away from downed power lines. Do not get out of your car if downed power lines are nearby. Stay inside your car where you hopefully have an 24-72 hour survival/emergency kit. Listen to the radio for weather updates.

Ok, on this one I will let you out of the car. Floods and flood water: Since you are in your car, not your boat, never attempt to drive thru water on the roadway. 1) Water can be deeper than what it appears to be, and 2) water rises very quickly without notice. Cars start to float in very little water and begin to drift in very little current. Flood waters can also erode the roadway, and you may not be able to see the damage. If your car stalls in water and it won't start, abandon it quickly, wade thru floodwaters only if the water is not too swift and the water is below your knees. Just remember that the car can be carried downstream if the waters are still rising. One trick you might try if your car stalls and you have a stick-shift, decide which gear is the lowest toward the direction you just came from, put it in that gear, let off on the clutch, and turn the key to see if the battery will pull you out of where you are. Remember that these are only my ideas and not Bible. You need to pre-plan and pre-think about these things and know what you're going to do before anything happens.

Oh--I mentioned something about a 24-72 hour car kit. Here's a list you can start with until you have made a list that you're happy with. Fresh water (1 gal. per person per day), battery powered radio, flashlight (extra batteries), matches, blankets (space blankets), first aid kit and manual, rubber gloves, non-perishable, high-energy foods. tissues and premoistened towelettes, garbage bags (for rain gear, storage), rain gear, change of clothes, shoes, gloves, maps, extra medications (replace each time you re-fill your prescriptions), spare eyeglasses, change for phone calls. cell phone, books to read. pen and paper, cards, pictures of loved ones, fire extinguisher, tools, jumper cables, stuff for small kids, color books and stuff, extra diapers… just to name a few ideas.

Now aren't you glad I didn't get on this kick last month??? The awards banquet is next weekend, and I hope you all can make it. Stay safe out there!

V-DUB-YA
Virgil Wilbur
tigger357a@hotmail.com
H  (253) 854-8911
W (425) 656-5020 



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