AAA Texas Offers Tips for Safely Starting a Vehicle In Winter Weather

(Irving, Texas; January 7, 2010) - As Texans brace for the arctic blast expected over the next few days, AAA Texas wants to share a few car care basics that may help families and commuters safely start their vehicle in severe winter weather.

These are things that should be checked or avoided to prevent problems, specifically in cold conditions: 

Texans with Disabilities Preparedness for Cold Weather

Texans who are particularly vulnerable to exposure from freezing temperatures, such as the elderly and those with disabilities, should organize activities outside of their home so that they go out in the warmest part of the day.  Texans who are paralyzed from the chest or waist down and individuals who have difficulty sensing and maintaining heat in their extremities are at risk for severe frostbite and need to protect their feet, pelvic areas, and hands because of circulation problems. It is important to dress for the weather by wearing several layers of clothes, keeping one's head, neck, and chest covered with scarves, and wearing two pairs of thick socks under lined boots. Texans using a wheelchair should wrap a blanket over their pelvic region and limit their amount of time outside.

To enable the full functioning of driving adaptation equipment in motor vehicles, allow your vehicle to warm up before you get in them. Service animals should wear a coat or cape underneath their regular harness and should sit or lay on a blanket in the vehicle or on cold floors inside your home or place of destination. Sometimes it is helpful in snow to protect your dog’s paws with boots or be sure to warm feet and clean any debris once inside.

Pneumatic tires provide better traction for wheelchairs on icy surfaces. Tires for dirt bikes (sold through bicycle shops) can be used as an alternative on icy surfaces. Ramps should be cleared of ice by using standard table salt or cat litter, as rock salt is poisonous to service dogs. Rock salt can also be slippery for certain types of mobility aides. Freezing rain will stick to canes, walkers, fore arm cuffs, and wheelchairs making the metal parts slippery and cold to touch. Driving gloves which grip can be helpful. When returning wheelchairs to vehicles, it is important to first remove the tires and shake the debris and ice off of them. The tire rims, and other metal parts that may have any salt or other de-icing chemicals on them need to be wiped off to avoid rust on the metal parts.

Public Health Interventions

Educating communities about preventive steps that they can be taken both in advance of winter and once a storm has begun will help reduce the impact. Winter storm preparation activities should include:

• Home winterization activities (insulating pipes, installing storm windows).
• Collect winter clothing and supplies such as extra blankets, warm coats and clothes, water-resistant boots, hats and mittens.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing a first aid kit, battery powered weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Stock canned food, non-electric can opener, and bottled water.
• Winterize vehicles, keep gas tank full, and assemble a disaster supplies car kit.
• In heavy snow, stay away from downed power lines.

Avoid Home Damage from Frozen Pipes
AUSTIN – Texas weather can change quickly, especially in the winter. A fast-moving cold front can cause temperatures to drop below freezing within hours. Outdoor pipes, pipes in unheated areas, and pipes that run along uninsulated exterior walls can burst if the water in them freezes and expands. This can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture by taking a few simple measures to protect your home.