Lockout Tips

Halloween is past, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While some of us live in moderate weather zones and don’t see much snow, we all deal with rain and other winter hazards. 24 HR Lockouts offers you these tips to ensure your car is ready for winter.

Tires

Tires are the most crucial element to winter driving safety. When was the last time you examined your tires? Do you get them rotated regularly? Many of us forget to do this, which means your “newish” tires are wearing unevenly making them unsafe. Be sure to visually inspect your tires for uneven wear and tread loss. Even better, take them into your local tire shop and have them inspected by a professional. Balding tires will not grip the road effectively, and they can increase your braking distance considerably – especially in wet or icy road conditions.

Winter Survival Kit

Planning a trip to the mountains to go skiing or snowboarding? Make sure you have some extra items just in case something unexpected happens. It takes only a few minutes to gather these items together and keep in a box or duffle in the trunk.

Your kit should include:

• Blankets, socks, hats, mittens to keep you and your passengers warm
• A source of heat like a can heater or multiple wick candle – don’t forget matches or a lighter!
• Water and a metal container suitable for melting snow into drinking water
• Food – such as hard candy, energy bars, nuts and raisins
• Bright red or orange cloth and whistle to signal for help
• An AM/FM radio plus a flashlight – both with new batteries!

Other items to consider taking with you depending upon your destination: a shovel, a good spare tire, jumper cables, tire chains, road flares and a small tool kit. These can become actual lifesavers if a bad situation comes around!

Staying Warm and Safe

If your car gets stuck in snowy conditions, you will need to keep your car running for heat, but make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow. Run the engine and heater for 10 minutes each hour depending on how much gas is in your tank. If there is heavy snow or sleet coming down, keep one window slightly open so you don’t get sealed inside your car.

24 HR Lockouts wants all of our drivers to be safe this winter season. We hope these tips help get you prepared for inclement weather no matter where you live. And don’t forget to keep our phone number on hand just in case you get locked out of your car in bad weather! We can be there in a jiffy to get you back in.