How to Stay Safe if Your Car is Stuck in Snow

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Over one lac cars entered Murree during last week and got trapped in the snow. A few lost their lives stuck in their vehicles. Thousands are still stranded within their cars, waiting for the traffic to clear. Our prayers go out to the deceased.

For everyone stuck in Murree or Northern areas, here’s how you can stay safe in your cars.

Try to stay warm.

You are on the road with your family or friends. Snow is blanketing the ground, your car, and everything around. Traffic is jammed, and there’s no way forward. What now? 

First of all, do not leave your car. No matter how cold it is inside the car, it will be colder outside. So, try to keep yourself warm by putting on layers of clothing, blankets, boots, gloves, hats, etc. 

Maximize your body heat by hugging your chest, putting your hands in your armpits, and curling up. Eat nuts, chocolate, candy bars, and other food items high in fat and carbohydrates. These will give you energy and help generate warmth.

Use the car heater with care.

Instead of using the heater, generate heat by turning on the car for 10 minutes every hour. If you want to turn on the car heater, do so but slightly open the windows. Do not leave the heater on for long, or it will create suffocation inside the car.

Another important thing while using the heater is to carefully use the cabin ventilation settings. You see the button with a curved arrow in the car? It’s the recirculation button that recycles the air inside the car. Do not use it. Use the other button with the arrow entering the car, so the system draws fresh air from outside. 

Air Circulation ButtonsIf you don’t see the external air intake button, just turn the air recirculation button off, and your car will automatically draw the outside air.

Clear the exhaust pipe.

When your car is stuck, the exhaust or tailpipe gets blocked with snow. As a result, carbon monoxide will start filling up in your car’s cabin. The odorless gas will first knock you unconscious, then slowly cause death, and you won’t even know.

You need to clear the tailpipe by turning the engine on every so often to eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the exhaust.

Given the weather conditions in Murree and other Northern areas, it’s best to stay put and enjoy the Winters with your family and friends at home. If you do hit the road and find yourself stuck in the snow, follow the tips to stay safe in your car. God bless!

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1 Comment
  1. Khurram says

    A very logical write-up, good work author, I didn’t knew about starting the car and keeping it on for ten minutes for once every hour. Thanks

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