If you end up broken down, on the side of the road in need of a towing assistance during the winter months, it is vital that you keep safe while you are waiting for help to arrive. Here are a few winter safety tips to keep in mind when you are waiting for towing assistance during the winter months, as well as a few suggestions of items to keep in your vehicle at all times that will help keep you safe. 

#1 Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Visible

The first thing you need to do is make sure that your vehicle is visible. You need other drivers on the road to be able to see your vehicle, especially if you are right near the road, so that an additional accident does not occur. Additionally, you need the tow truck to be able to see and locate your vehicle.

There are a few different ways that you can make sure that your vehicle is visible. First, turn your hazard lights on. Next, as long as your headlights are not facing into oncoming traffic, turn on your headlights as well. This will make your vehicle easier to spot, especially if there is low visibility or if it is dark outside. 

If you have flares in your trunk, take them out and place them around your vehicle. If you are broken down in the middle of the road, place them so that other vehicles can more easily drive around your vehicle. If you are on the side of the road, place them behind and in front of your vehicle to illuminate it. This will help other vehicles avoid hitting you and will make you even more visible for the tow truck. 

#2 Make Sure It Is Safe To Wait In Your Vehicle

The second thing you need to do is make sure that it is safe to wait inside of your vehicle for help to arrive by surveying the outside of your vehicle. 

Next, check and make sure that your tail pipe is not buried in the snow. If you are sitting inside of your vehicle, but stuck in a snowdrift, you risk being poisoned and killed by the fumes that your vehicle is producing. If the end of your vehicle is stuck in the snow, clear the snow from around your tailpipe so that the exhaust fumes have somewhere to go. Once you do this, it will be safer for you to wait in your vehicle.

#3 Stay Warm

If it is not safe to stay in your vehicle, walk to a nearby restaurant or gas station. If it is safe to stay in your vehicle, turn up the heat and make sure the exhaust pipe is clear. You should also always carry extra blankets, jackets, sweaters, gloves and hats in your vehicle during the winter months in case of an emergency such as this one. Get out these supplies and bundle up while you wait for assistance to arrive.

To learn more, contact a towing company like Jenwar Towing & Recovery.