Tips for staying safe (and warm) this winter

Tips for staying safe (and warm) this winter

With rapidly dropping temperatures and scary driving conditions, winter can be a very dangerous time of year. In our law practice, we see quite a few winter-related cases, so we want to offer some tips on staying safe during these cold months.

Safe Use of Heaters

As the temperature drops, many people spend most of their time indoors, enjoying the warmth provided by heaters and space heaters. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 80 percent of home heating fire deaths involve space heaters.

How can you keep your family safe?

• Keep it level. Always place the space heater on a hard, level and nonflammable surface.

• Remember the threefeet rule. Ensure the space heater is at least three feet from anything that can burn. And that includes children and pets!

• Don't leave it running.

Never leave a space heater on when you leave your home.

• Don't extend yourself.

Avoid using an extension cord. Plug a space heater directly into an outlet with enough capacity.

Safe Driving on Snow and Ice

Here in Arkansas, we aren't as used to the snow and ice as they are in other states. While drivers in northern states strap snow chains on their tires, most of us wait for the snow and ice to melt away before we venture out. While staying home is sometimes the best option, here are a couple of tips from AAA for driving safely in snow and ice:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

• Keep your distance. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

• Know your brakes.

Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

• Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

• Don't power up hills.

Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.

• Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

• Remove snow from the top of your car. Be a courteous driver and remove the snow from the top of your car before you head out. The drivers behind and around you can't see when a sheet of snowy ice hits their windshield.

• Stay home if you can.

The fewer drivers who venture out, the fewer accidents that may occur.

I encourage everyone to please be cautious when you are out and about this winter. Stay warm and most importantly, stay safe!

Jason Earley is Managing Partner of the Hare Wynn Law Firm's Little Rock Office.

By Jason Earley Guest Commentary