Yo the uninitiated, the foolhardy, the thouchtless, or unthinking, a great hazard
exists in travelling the roads of the north by car in extreme cold weather.
Any unforseen thing may happen which can, and has left people stranded for hours, .

The car's gas line could ice up, it could skid off the road or get bogged Coun in
deep snow drifts.

This article has been prompted by several such occurrences here at Cassiar in the
past two winters,

According to experts and experienced travellers in the north, some very good
advice and recommendations have been published in the press and other media, for our
benefit.

Usually, when we travel from one place to another, we are dressed only for the
warmth and comfort within the vehicle, and not for the. conditions which. we may face
outside the vehicle if it is 40 or 30 degrees below zero and the vehicle is solidly
imbedded in a snow bank,

For such emergencies, the people who know and understand the problem make specific
recommendations, some of which are passed on to you.

.

1) Carry in the car or trunk, a couple ae comfortable as possible. Some~
of blankets or sleeping bags; a one will come along eventually. If
shovel; an axe; some extra gas; some . you should walk, leave a note on the
matches; some food and a pot with car stating the time you left and
which you can make coffee or tea; your proposed destination.
some heavy boots, or rubbers and
spare heavy woollen sox. h) 'f you run the motor to keep warm
. first check the end of the exhaust
2) A small gas stove, or propane rad- | pipe to be sure it is clear of snow
ijant heater is an excellent item to . and that the exhaust is clearing away
carry also. They will keep the inside from the vehicle. If it is not, dead-
of your car warm for hours and pre- ly fumes of carbon monox i de can seep
vent you from freezing to death. up through the floor and fill the car,
A caution though on this point. If with fatal results. Here again it is
using such inside your car you should strongly recommended to open the win-
‘wind down the windows’ about 1° -so dows about 1'' so.any fumes that enter
“that the fumes, which can be pois- | _ Mey Scape,
onous, will escape. — {f you have to run the motor to warm

the car, it is recommended that it be
-done at intervals. When the car is
warm shut the motor off, then when it
gets cold, run the motor again for a
while to warm it up again. By doing
this you will conserve qas and will
be able to survive much longer.

3) Unless you are certain of the dis-
tance you may have to walk to get
help, and it is not too far, it is
strongly recommended that you stay
with the vehicle and make yourself

The above are only some of the recommendations from the experts, but the most
important is COMMON SENSE and FORE THOUGHT,

Be prepared for the worst and you'll avoid freezing, and will survive.