With winter’s bite leaving teeth marks from northern Florida to the Eastern Seaboard, you can never be too prepared for Mother Nature’s frosty fangs.
The eastern U.S. is digging out from an “epic” two-foot dump of snow that cancelled more than 10,000 flights and shut down portions of New York, New Jersey and even that nation’s capital. There’s an online Instagram video of Washington Capitals Russian hockey star Alex Ovechkin, wearing his Team Russia parka, choking his snowthrower to a stop because the snow is so deep and dense at his D.C. residence. His team’s Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 home games against Anaheim and Pittsburgh, respectively, were rescheduled because of the storm.
Funny stuff.
It was only last season that a Cochrane Generals game against Medicine Hat was postponed because of an intense Prairie storm. Yet, despite the great stories from the lighter side of too much white stuff, winter’s chill is serious business.
According to Environment Canada, winter storms and excessive cold claim over 100 lives each year in this country – more than the combined number of deaths caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, extreme heat and lightning each year.
And that doesn’t include driving conditions. Avoiding that moose or family of deer trying to cross Highway 1A near Glendale Road becomes much harder in sketchy road conditions.
Thankfully, Cochranites can afford to be smug when chortling over the winter woes burying those in other regions. Our close proximity to the Rocky Mountains and our altitude (3,891 ft above sea level) put us in a winter weather wheelhouse that demands our knowledge and respect.
Still, you can never be too prepared for severe weather in our region so, ahead of Balzac Billy’s Feb. 2 spring-weather prediction, here are few basic winter weather pointers:
– Start by ensuring you’re properly dressed for the cold before heading out of the house. Keep your head covered and wear layers of fabrics that are insulating, like wool. In extreme temperatures, don’t leave exposed areas uncovered – including cheeks, ears, noses and especially fingers. It’s important that if any of your clothing gets wet, you immediately change out of it and into dry clothes.
– Don’t walk without knowing your surroundings. Be careful of snow and ice, and take steps slowly. Also be aware of what you’re walking under. Snow or ice could be falling from rooftops or trees.
– Don’t stress your back while shoveling snow. Try to push the snow rather than lift it. If you have to lift it, don’t fill the shovel all the way. Lift with your legs to avoid straining your back and take breaks often to avoid exhaustion. Shoveling can be strenuous activity, particularly if we get wet, or more dense, snow. As well, the Town of Cochrane advises you move snow to private property (your lawn), not public property (roads, alleys, pathways). Snow on roads impedes storm-water flow, reduces visibility and can delay street sweeping.
– Drive for the road conditions. Each year, thousands of motor vehicle collisions occur across Canada as a result of hazardous winter conditions. Many of these incidents can be avoided with proper preparation and driving techniques. Ensure your car windshield, roof, all lights and hood are cleared of snow to offer maximum visibility. Turn on your lights in poor conditions and drive safely by reducing your speed and leaving plenty of room between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you.
Keep your cell phone fully charged and ensure that your car’s gas tank is at least half full at all times.
While spring is on the horizon, winter is merely a storm away from clouting us with its icy blast and, while we can chuckle about our eastern neighbours digging out this week, it behooves us to always be prepared for another heavy dose of our own.
