Did You Know?
Your Car is Sinking
Do you know what to do if your vehicle starts sinking in water? First and foremost, you must stay as levelheaded as possible. Here are the following steps to improve your chances of escaping unharmed.
Unfasten your seatbelt and remove heavy clothes items and footwear. If there is time to escape before the vehicle is submerged, do so through the window.
If for some reason you can’t open the window, wait until the car is under water and there is no resistance of water flow coming in. You will see that once the water pressure is equalized, you can open the car door. Take one last breath of air (in the highest pocket of air left in the car) and get out and swim to safety.
Other considerations to remember is that the electrical system of a car may still be functioning long enough to open electric windows, therefore, leave the keys in the ignition. Also, consider purchasing a glass-breaking tool (such as a small hammer) which can serve to break a side window (the front and back windshields will not break).
If you are with children, unbuckle yourself first, open a window. Free the children from their seat belts and push them out of the window.
Remember, it is possible to escape unharmed if you remain calm.
Check your Chimney and Fix your Furnace.
Call a professional and have your fireplace, woodstove, chimney and furnace inspected and cleaned. Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year to remove creosote that builds up and is capable of starting chimney fires.
To keep your furnace running trouble-free throughout the winter months, it should also be inspected and cleaned once a year. Faulty conditions may lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector in your bedroom, so that the alarm sounding can wake you up if there is a danger.
