Somerdale, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/24/2010 -- We often think about getting our homes winterized, but the recent winter storm battering the Midwest shows that we need to give our autos a safety check too, says a top disaster expert.

“It seems so basic, but I’m still stunned at the number of people who don’t take the necessary 30 minutes to ensure their automobiles are ready for an emergency, especially during the winter,” says Dean Ragone, president of Somerdale, N.J.-based allRisk Property Damage Experts, an emergency response firm.
New Jersey residents should be thankful for missing the current winter storm, and it gives everyone an opportunity to make sure that they are ready when the first one strikes our state, says Ragone.

In Cleveland, Ohio, one elementary school employee took three hours to drive home, six miles away. In Laporte, Ind., more than 70 motorists were stranded for hours on Monday, after snowdrifts trapped their vehicles, according to the Associated Press.

Ragone says a few simple tips will help winterize your car and protect you and your loved ones if faced with severe winter weather.

Ragone’s tips include:

• Ask yourself: Is this trip really necessary? It seems obvious, but if you are facing an impending storm or one that is already raging outside, pause and ask yourself whether you really have to drive. Avoid traveling unless there is an emergency or a commitment you cannot cancel or reschedule.

• Gas up. Be sure you have plenty of gas. People often have to abandon cars because they simply run out of gas when a short commute turns into hours. Keep your gas tank full.

• Maintain an emergency kit. This is inexpensive and takes little effort. A good emergency kit includes: flares, blankets, boots, radio, engine oil, washer fluid, coolant and flashlight. If you generally travel without gloves or a cap, this is the time to keep them in the car. If you have kids in the car, keep a mini diaper bag with diapers, wipes, formula and baby food.

• Buy a better scraper. Visibility is paramount in a winter storm, so clean off as much snow as possible. But don’t waste your money on the small, cheap plastic scrapers that sell for a dollar or two. Buy a model with a long handle, made of metal, with a scraper at one end and a brush at the other. It’s stronger and won’t break, and its length allows you to muster more muscle when scraping. If you are short, you will be able to reach the snow on top of the car.

• Plug in your cell phone charger. Get one if you don’t have one. It’s your lifeline to the outside world if you get stranded.

• Jumper cables. Batteries are a major victim during a winter storm. The easiest, cheapest solution is jumper cables.

“Winter doesn’t start until Dec. 21,” says Ragone. “Get a jump on the season by making sure that you’re prepared for any road trips before a winter storm strikes.”

For more information, visit http://www.allriskinc.com.

Contact: Tom Peric
856-874-0049
tom@thegalileo.com