As the leaves start to change, we’re all getting ready for a beautiful fall season. But not long after the leaves fall, the freezing temperatures will arrive. If you’re not prepared, you could end up in a bad situation. Taking some precautions today could save you later if you run into anything unexpected.
Here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Keep an Eye on Any Possible Maintenance Problems
- Invest in Tire Chains
- Bring Extra Blankets & Warm Clothing
- Create an Emergency Supply Kit
- Use a CB Radio
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Keep an Eye on Any Possible Maintenance Problems
Winter is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road, with limited visibility and much different weather conditions than in the rest of the year. The key to staying safe this winter is maintaining your vehicle. Keep up on oil changes and tire maintenance so that you can drive as safely as possible. Remember that even if it doesn’t seem like you’re going fast enough for any damage to occur, a single bump in the right place could result in thousands of dollars worth of damage. Before any drive, make sure your fluids are topped off, heat and defroster are working, mirrors are clean and tire tread depth is correct.
Invest in Tire Chains
If you’re driving in snow, it’s important to carry tire chains and know how to put them on. Tire chains can help give you traction in snow and are actually required by law in some areas.
Tire chains are metal links that fit over your tires and allow you to drive with more control than you would otherwise have. They’re usually used for extra traction when driving on icy roads or through snow-covered roads.
You should always read the instructions before using tire chains, but here are the basic steps:
- First, check your vehicle manual to see if it has any restrictions on using tire chains.
- Next, find a safe place to park where there is no traffic coming toward you (you can’t put on tire chains while moving).
- Place your car in reverse and back up until the tire chain is within reach of both sides of each wheel (you’ll need at least one-foot clearance under each side of each wheel).
- Put one end of the chain into its designated slot at each wheel (there will be three slots total). Then tighten down all three slots for each wheel before moving forward again with the car still in reverse gear position until all three slots are secured tightly on both sides of each wheel.
Bring Extra Blankets & Warm Clothing
Heavy clothing designed for extreme cold is always a good idea. You might have to wait longer than usual for a service vehicle to arrive during inclement weather, so having the items you need to stay as warm as possible may just save your life. Backup sleeping bags or blankets will help during extremely cold nights. Hand warmers are also great to carry in case of freezing temperatures.
Create an Emergency Supply Kit
Safety is a priority when you are on the job. Having a truck that is fully equipped with emergency supplies can save you time and money in the long run.
Here are some things you should include in your emergency supply kit:
- A flashlight and extra batteries
- Non-perishable food and extra water
- A reflective vest and flares
- Extra oil and fuel filters
Use a CB Radio
While you’re on the road, it’s crucial to have a way of communicating with other drivers, especially in an emergency. Although it may seem out of date in comparison to using a cell phone, CB radios remain as a primary way for truck drivers to communicate with each other and authorities in the event of an emergency.
You can use your phone as well, but it’s not always reliable or accessible when you need it most if you happen to lose service. We recommend getting yourself either a battery powered radio or a CB radio and a backup battery-powered handheld CB radio.
Join the Team at Drive M&W
Looking to start or change your career in the truck driving industry? Drive M&W offers flexible schedules to offer employees the option to select what work they can realistically be involved in. The truck driving industry can offer you the robust, independent, reliable job you’ve been looking for.
Click here to learn more about our job opportunities.
