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Community Chat: Randy's Winter Wisdoms
Bonaire Talk: Community Chat: Archives: Archives 2008: Archives -2008-12-01 to 2008-12-31: Randy's Winter Wisdoms
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #827) on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 2:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK, so it won't apply to any Bonarians or folks in gentle climates, but us folks who do get WINTER may find some of this useful. I created this list years ago and send it out here at work each year so I thought I'd also share it with my BT 'family':


OK, I’m a believer…WINTER is upon us with a vengeance.

So here is a reprint of my annual message.

1. SPEND THE MONEY AND GET A SPARE KEY MADE FOR YOUR CAR!!!!!!! I will give you my personal guarantee that it will be a whole lot cheaper than calling in a locksmith after you lock your keys in it without an extra one in your pocket or desk here at work or wallet or purse. You get the idea.

2. Keep a jug of blue windshield washer goop in the trunk or back seat. The more salt they lay out, the worse visibility gets. They also sell a pinkish fluid that works at a much colder temp without freezing, it costs more per gallon, but it's what we use here in our fleet cars. Refill the reservoir under your car’s hood at EACH gas fill-up. If you don’t know where the fill point is on your car, ask any of the Delivery Staff who will show you..

3. Don't throw out that old blanket or comforter, put it in a plastic trash bag to keep it clean and store it in your car trunk. If you ever get stuck and stranded, you'll be glad for the extra warmth. I guess let’s also include a pair of WARM gloves, pull-over and a hat too. Fashion is not the issue here, preventing hypothermia is.

4. Keep a spare flashlight, some candles and a disposable lighter in a small coffee can. Light and an emergency heat source could also help under the conditions described in #3. A few granola bars, chocolate etc. would fit in the coffee can too. Big empty coffee cans and a roll of bathroom tissue serve a variety of useful purposes in an emergency, stranded situation. They now make really dandy wind-up LED flashlights that don’t need batteries, under $20, worth the price in my opinion.

5. JOIN THE NEW MILLENNIUM AND BUY A CELL PHONE ALREADY!!!!!! There are many low-cost plans available, many without a monthly contract (like a calling card) A cell phone could save your life, don't leave home without one, no matter the season. With the serious consequences possible in a winter stranded situation it is even more important for your survival.

6. A small shovel and a bag of rock salt or cat litter will help unstick a stuck car. Don't forget to throw the salt/litter under your cars "drive wheels", there's a lot of Front wheel drive vehicles out there now, but if yours is rear wheel drive, that's where you need to put the traction.

7. An old terry cloth towel is very handy to have to keep your headlights clean. It's amazing how much further they shine with a clean lens.

8. It's time to find that windshield scraper/broom you bought last year and put it back in your vehicle. As a minivan owner, I went to Home Deport and bought a soft bristled 18-24" regular push broom that I keep in my rig exclusively for snow removal duties. Really speeds up the process.

9. We're almost done, PLEASE don't let your gas tank get below half full. Low fuel tanks are prime condensation breeders and that can lead to gas line freeze. You also never know how traffic and the roads are going to be. Even a short commute can take forever if the weather turns hostile, and your car cannot produce heat if the motor runs out of fuel.

10. If you have not had your car checked over for things like new wipers, belts and hoses and battery condition, and it's over three years old, it would not be a bad idea to do so. Car batteries do NOT last more than about 5 years, so if you are driving an older vehicle with the original battery, drop by the local autopartsmegamart (like Pepboys or wherever) and have it tested just to be on the safe side. A new battery is a lot cheaper than getting towed.

11. Not so much a tip as it is my commentary - Realize that it CAN happen to you. When we commute during the winter it is almost always very cold and very dark. A car can skid off even a busy thoroughfare on ice and go into a ditch and not be seen, engines can breakdown, “stuff” can happen. How big a deal it becomes depends on how well prepared YOU are.

Oh I almost forgot, buy a winning lottery ticket, and you can move to somewhere warm where none of the above is an issue. I heartily recommend Bonaire (If you promise to take me with you)
Drive Safely
Randy





(Message edited by chicagorandy on December 17, 2008)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *Linda* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3542) on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 2:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great list Randy! All very sound points.
I would also put some granola bars in the mix, too.

(Message edited by tlraz on December 17, 2008)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #171) on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 2:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My winter wisdom - Fly to Bonaire !!! Any other solutions are second rate !!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #429) on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 3:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm with Dan. It's a much shorter list.....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By B-B-B-eck-k-k-k-k-eeeee (it's c-c-c-old) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2086) on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 4:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nice list Randy.

Tom and Jerry might want to get a brand new coffee can for their cars though :-)

 


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