Winter Storm Preparedness: Auto Body Shops, Home Maintenance, and Heart Health Tips

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter Storms

• 🚗 Basic car maintenance is crucial before a major storm, including checking tire pressures, ensuring recent servicing, verifying brake condition, and checking tire tread.
• 💧 It's also recommended to top off washer fluid and ensure all basic checks are completed.
• 🧊 For drivers who must be on the road, AAA suggests keeping a cold weather emergency kit in the car, containing warm clothing, blankets, water, food, extra chargers, an ice scraper, and necessary medications.
• 💨 Before starting a snowed-in car, clear snow from the tailpipe area to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, and also clear off the backup camera, hood, and roof.

Home Maintenance During Extreme Cold

• 🏠 Insulating exposed pipes is recommended to prevent them from bursting due to freezing temperatures.
• 💧 If you have troubled areas in your house, consider keeping water trickling to prevent pipes from freezing.
• ⚠️ Always know the location of your water main shut-off in case a pipe bursts, allowing for quick water stoppage.

Snow Shoveling and Heart Health

• ❤️ Research indicates a connection between shoveling snow and an increased risk of heart attack.
• 🩺 Cardiologists advise a pre-shoveling warm-up and stretching to prepare the body.
• ⚠️ Be aware of warning signs such as chest pain, pressure, or tightness, and shortness of breath; stop shoveling and rest if these occur.
• 🚑 If symptoms come on suddenly or persist, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Individuals with existing heart disease should consider having someone else handle snow removal.
• 🧹 It is ideal to push or sweep snow rather than lifting and throwing it to reduce physical strain.