Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob: While we are getting close to spring and summer, there still could be some winter ahead. And we know we can get a winter storm anytime between now and the end of April, and that's what we're talking about today on "Ask The Expert" with our insurance expert, Greg Marcyniuk, at Heritage Insurance in Downtown Moose Jaw. What to do when stuck in your vehicle during a winter storm. Greg, first and foremost, it's always good to have a winter survival kit in the vehicle.
Greg: That's correct, Rob. And with the way the weather's been lately where we get hot, cold, and we get extreme weather, the roads are getting icer, and in fact, 30% of the collisions throughout the year happen on winter conditions, icy winter conditions, and poor visibility. So, it's very important to know what to do. And the biggest thing is, first of all, drive slowly, and make sure you clear your vehicle of ice or snow before driving out.
Inform everyone or someone when you are heading out and what your planned route is and what time you plan on being there, that way they can come out and start looking for you if need be. Bring a fully charged mobile phone or have a car charger. And, again, as you'd said, an emergency supply kit is definite. You've got to have that there, especially with our weather.
Pull over if you're having trouble seeing the road, remain calm if you begin to skid, and ease your foot off the gas slowly and turn your wheels in the direction you want your vehicle to head. So those are great tips there. As well, make sure if you do get stuck or you go into the ditch, first and foremost is stay in your vehicle. It's the easiest and safest thing to do because it's easy to become disorientated when you're out and if you're in a snowstorm situation.
So please remain inside your vehicle where people can see where you are, and it's a good place to shelter. Run your engine intermittently, and conserve gas by running your engine maybe for 10 minutes every hour instead of just letting it idle. Make sure you clear any snow away from your pipe and just leave a little bit of a crack in your window so you don't have any issues with carbon monoxide.
The other thing is make sure your vehicle is visible. And if you're buried in snow, put something on the antenna, either a flag, and that should be one of the things I don't think many people put on, a reflective string on there of some sort on the door and that so you can actually see yourself. Keep your dome light on as well so people can see that someone is in there. The other thing is make sure you keep warm by putting on additional layers of clothing or even wrap yourself in a blanket if you have one. So, again, these are just taking care in case of the worst-case scenario.
Rob: You've got the full list of what we should have in our vehicles on your website.
Greg: That's correct, at www.heritageinsurance.ca, or come on down and we'd be more than happy to give you a copy of it.
Rob: Greg Marcyniuk on "Ask The Expert."
(Video transcription via https://www.speechpad.com)