5 Important Things to Do If Your Stuck In Your Car During a Winter Storm in Illinois

If you ever find yourself stuck in your car on the side of the road during a winter storm in Illinois, you need to remember to do five important things while you wait for help to arrive.

Surviving Winter in Illinois

January has been a rough one so far in Illinois. We've had a lot of snow, brutally cold temps, and now ice is on the way. I think surviving winter in Illinois requires a certain set of skills, and many of them involve driving.

Every Illinoisan knows, (hopefully!), that always keeping your car's gas tank halfway full is important during the winter months, so is having an emergency kit filled with snacks, drinks, and blankets. Staying off the roads is always the safest option during heavy snow and ice storms, but sometimes we have to drive in it, and sometimes we end up in a ditch.

If you ever find yourself stranded on the side of the road during a winter storm, please remember these 5 important tips from the National Weather Service to help keep you safe;

1. Stay In Your Vehicle

Getting out your car to go find help is a terribly unsafe thing to do during a winter storm. Not only is it hard for other drivers to see you, but trudging around in high winds and heavy snow is super dangerous for your health too.

2.  Run the motor for about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and make sure to roll down the window a bit to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Also make sure all snow is cleared away from your car's exhaust pipe.

3. If you're stuck at night, turn on the dome light while the engine is running.

Doing this will make you more visible to other drivers and rescue workers.

4. Tie a bright colored cloth, (preferably red), to your car's antenna or door handle.

Tying a strip of something red on your car  will alert police that you need assistance.

5. If it stops snowing, raise your the engine hood to alert others that you need help.

Getting stranded during a winter storm is a pretty scary and stressful experience, but doing these 5 things will help you survive a long wait for rescuers. Always remember to stay calm, and be patient.