There’s a cynical old adage that says “no good deed goes unpunished.” And it seems one Texas man is applying this concept to a recent bit of winter storm advice. Anyone who hasn’t been living cut off from all media knows that there’s a whopper of a storm bearing down on the country, from Arizona to Maine. So lots of chatter online has been about how to stay safe. TayloringAustin (@tayloringaustin) is reminding his fellow Texans that in addition to eggs, they need to be gassing up their vehicles in case of a storm-related emergency. But then, he feels compelled to add a follow-up “note” to his followers. In a TikTok with over 7,000 views, he’s reminding the internet of basic safety protocols. Don’t Sit in Your Vehicle in an Enclosed Space One of the main concerns for Texans (and others in the storm’s path) is staying warm. Since the potential to lose power is a very real threat, it is possible that scared, cold, people will problem solve their way to warmth. One seemingly easy solution: go sit in a running vehicle. But TayloringAustin has a stark (and annoyed) warning for his fellow Texans, “Austin, I can’t believe I have to come on here and say this, but some of y’all are pissing me off,” he says. The problem? “I know in my last video I said, ‘Please make sure you have gas in your car.’ That’s still true. But please make sure you’re not sitting in your car, in an enclosed environment (like your garage) with it on.” As he writes in the caption to the video: “Let’s be smart about this.” Spelling Out Safety, Just in Case Users were quick to agree with TayloringAustin, and many added their own, specific precautions. “Also even if you’re not in an enclosed area, make sure your exhaust isn’t obstructed by any slush (if we get any), hedges or bushes, etc. Make sure your car is in the open and crack windows a little from time to time. Just looking out for our friends,” said RalphRobinHoods. Kate Murphey reiterated these precautions, “Even in the garage with the door open. Bad idea,” she says. TayloringAustin jumped back into the comments, saying his concern is that “people just aren’t thinking things through.” Taking Proper Precautions In A Snowstorm By now, most people probably have the food, water, gas and other supplies they’ve deemed necessary for possibly being snowed in. But what should you do during and after a big snowstorm? The experts at the National Weather Service say that if you’re inside, you should stay inside and make sure that the ventilation paths for your furnace are clear. If you’re relying on heat from a fireplace or wood-burning stove, use safeguards and again make sure there’s proper ventilation. Driving in a storm is not advised. But if it can’t be avoided, prepare for the trip: charge all electronics, stow an emergency supplies kit, let someone know where you’re going, and clear your vehicle of snow before you hit the road. Then drive slowly: the snow can hide ice or other road hazards. If you’re stuck in a once-in-a-century-weather-event , stay in your vehicle because white-out conditions can be very disorienting. Warmth is important (run your car for about 10 minutes every hour), but crack a window to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide. Likewise, make sure your exhaust pipe (or pipes) are clear and not packed with snow. Finally, get yourself seen: tie a red or other bright-colored cloth around the antennae or door handle of your vehicle. At night, turn on your dome light, and once the snow clears, raise the hood to signal help is needed. The safest course of action is to stay put. But if you don’t have the option of staying off of the road: treat it like a mini-artic-expedition. Pack, plan, and put your route on file (or just turn on location sharing in your smart phone). Motor1 reached out to TayloringAustin via TikTok direct message and via a comment on his post. We’ll update this if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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