Goderich Signal Star, 2017-01-11, Page 910 Signal Star • Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Winter tires are definitely worth it, says OPP
Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP) wants to ensure drivers
stay safe during the upcoming
snowy season while traveling
on the roads. 4"
Winter tires
Winter tires are designed to
move water. If the water isn't
moved away from the area in
front of the tire, the car will
hydroplane. The tire tread has
grooves and channels to move
water away to the sides, allow-
ing the tire to stay in contact
with the surface.
Putting winter tires on your
vehicle:
• improves traction and
control -in frost, snow and icy
conditions
• shortens braking dis-
tances by as much as 25 per
cent
Be sure to install four winter
tires - never mix different
types of tires on one vehicle.
Check your tires regularly
for wear and pressure. Cold
weather can bring down your
tire pressure, and worn or
damaged tires make it harder
to drive safely.
How to recognize a winter fire
The easiest way to know a
tire has been designed specifi-
cally for severe snow condi-
tions is to look for the three -
peak mountain snowflake
symbol right on the tire.
All -season tires
All -season tires don't work
the same on snow, ice or
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cold pavement. The stopping
distance of a car with winter
tires can he up to 30 to 40 per
cent shorter than one with
all -season tires. The most
important part of a winter
tire is actually its rubber
compound. They are
designed to stay soft in freez-
ing temperatures, and very
effective for 7 degrees Cel-
sius and below. The tread
compound used in all -sea-
son tires offers little cold
weather traction and
becomes hard, losing pliabil-
ity and traction in freezing
temperatures: Winter (snow)
tires, however, are designed
to help deliver safety and
control in snow, slush, rain,
ice and cold weather.
Driving in winter weather
Winter weather can be
unpredictable but some
extra preparation and cau-
tion can help you stay safe.
Before you leave
• Check the weather fore-
cast. If it looks bad, delay
your trip if you can
• Visit Track my Plow to
find out where plows are on
provincial highways (availa-
ble in London, Chatham,
Owen Sound, Niagara/Ham-
ilton, Peel/Halton, Toronto,
York, Durham, Simcoe
County, Ottawa, Huntsville,
Kingston West, Kingston
East and Bancroft areas)
• Use Ontario 511 -to check
road conditions:
web: ontario.ca/511
Twitter: @511Ontario
dial 511 (hands-free,
voice-activated phone
service)
• Clear ice and snow from
your windows, lights, mir-
rors and roof
Be prepared
Have emergency supplies
with you - a charged cell
phone, non-perishable food,
water, flashlight, blanket,
warm clothes, jumper
cables, shovel and traction
mats or sand.
The number one cause of
motor vehicle collisions dur-
ing snowy conditions is
speed - driving too fast for
road and weather condi-
tions. Remember - ice and
snow - keep it slow!
Visit https://www.ontario.
ca/page/winter-driving for
more Winter Driving Tips.
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
reminds home and business owners
about safe handling of snowblowers
Postmedia Network
With winter snows arriv-
ing, homeowners, con-
tractors, and business
owners will again rely on
their snow blowers to
clear driveways and walks.
The Outdoor Power
Equipment Institute
(OPEI) is offering tips for
safe and correct use of
snow blowers.
"Your indispensable win-
ter friend, the snow blower is
ready to be powered up and
it's important to keep safety
in mind," says OPEI Presi-
dent and CEO Kris Kiser. "Be
sure to prepare and consider
the following tips before you
use your equipment:
PREPARE BEFORE IT
SNOWS
Review your owner's
manual and check your
equipment. Check your
owner's manual for safe
handling procedures from
your manufacturer. If you -
forgot to drain the fuel last
winter before storing your
snow blower, drain the
tank now. Adjust any
cables. Check the auger
(the snow blower should
`always be completely
powered off when you are
checking the equipment).
Know how to operate the
controls. You should be
able to shut off your
equipment gilickly.
Prepare your fuel and
handle it properly. It's
important to have the
right fuel on hand for your
snow blower - movement
and fuel availability may
be limited during a snow-
storm. Be sure to use the
correct fuel, as recom-
mended by your equip-
ment's manufacturer (for
more information on
fueling properly see www.
LookBeforeYouPump.
com). Fill up the fuel tank
outside before you start
the engine and while the
engine is cold. Never add
fuel to a running or hot
engine.
Be sure to clean the area
you intend to clear with
your equipment. Snow can
sometimes hide objects
that if run over by a snow
blower, may harm the
machine or people. Door-
mats, hoses, balls, toys,
boards, wires, and other
debris should be removed
from the areas you intend
to clear.
Dress appropriately. Wear
safety glasses and footwear
that can handle slippery
surfaces.
OPERATE YOUR EQUIP-
MENT SAFELY
KEY SAFETY TIP: Never
put your hands inside the
auger or chute. Use a
clean out tool (or stick) to
unclog snow or debris
from your snow blower.
Your hands should never
go inside the auger or
chute. Make sure the
snowblower is in the off
position before addressing
any clogs.
Turn OFF your snow
blower if you need to clear
a clog. If you need to
remove debris or unclog
snow, always turn off your
snow blower. Wait for all
moving parts to come to.a
complete stop before
clearing any clogs or
debris.
Only use your snow
blower in visible conditions.
Never operate the snow-
blower without good visibil-
ity or light.
Aim your snow blower
with care. Never throw
snow toward people or
cars. Do not allow anyone
to stand in front of your
snow blower. Keep chil-
dren or pets away from
your snow blower when it is
operating.
Use extreme caution on
slopes and hills. Use caution
when changing directions
on slopes. Do not attempt to
clear steep slopes.
Know where your cord is.
If you have an electric pow-
ered snow blower, be aware
of where the power cord is
at all times. Avoid tripping.
Do not run over the power
cord.
More safety tips and infor-
mation are available at www.
opei.org.