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Staying Safe During Omaha’s Winter Season

By Jason Bottlinger on December 20, 2024

Omaha winters can be magical, but winter weather combined with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season could mean more accidents. This guide gives you some important tips on how to handle winter in Omaha safely.

Preparing for Winter Weather in Omaha

Winter Emergency Kit Essentials

A well-stocked winter emergency kit is an often overlooked tool for winter weather safety. Below is a list of essential items to include:

• Flashlight with extra batteries: To help see in the dark during power outages, keep a flashlight handy. Extra batteries will make sure it works when you need it the most.
• First aid kit to treat minor injuries: A first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, and medicine can help take care of small injuries that might happen during winter fun or accidents.
• Battery-powered radio to stay informed about Omaha’s winter weather: This radio can give you weather alerts and news updates, even when the power is out.
• Blankets and warm clothing to stay warm in case the heater fails: Have extra blankets and warm clothes like hats and gloves to keep warm if your heater stops working in the cold.
• Shovel and ice scraper for snow removal: Use these tools to clear snow from walkways and driveways, making it safe to move around your home and get to emergency routes if needed.
• Phone charger to ensure you can stay connected: Keep your phone charged with a portable power bank or car adapter so you can call for help or get updates during emergencies.
• Winter boots (stored in your car): You never know when you might get stuck and have to walk somewhere in the snow.

Winterizing Your Vehicle

Preparing your car for winter will help you drive more safely on Omaha’s snowy roads and reduce worries about accidents during the cold months. Here’s how to do it:

• Test the car battery: The cold can weaken it.
• Inspect the tires: Make sure they have a good grip; consider winter tires for better control of snow and ice.
• Examine the windshield wipers: Ensure they work well and use winter wiper fluid that won’t freeze.
• Check the antifreeze level: Make sure it’s correct to protect the engine from the cold.
• Keep the gas tank at least half full: This prevents the gas lines from freezing.
• Have an emergency kit in the car: It’d be a good idea to keep all of the items we provided above in your car so they go with you wherever you go.

Safe Driving During Omaha’s Winter Season

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving in the snow takes some extra care. When you’re driving, always clear all snow and ice off your car for a clear view. Also, improve your visibility to other drivers by keeping your headlights on at all times, even during the day.

Depending on the weather, you’ll want to drive slower than usual almost everywhere. And keep a larger safe distance from other cars, about twice as much as usual, just in case you need to stop suddenly.

While driving, go easy on the gas and brakes and avoid using cruise control on slippery roads so you can react with speed if needed. Also, remember to watch out for bridges and overpasses since they freeze faster than regular roads. However, if your car does skid, steer gently in the direction you want to go, and don’t slam the brakes.

The Mechanics of Snow and Ice Driving

Driving on snowy and icy roads can be tricky, but with the right winter weather driving tips, you can feel confident. The big problem with icy roads is that your tires might slip, causing your car to slide without warning. So, remember to “take it easy.” This means pressing your brakes softly and not making any quick moves with the steering wheel. If you speed up or brake too fast, your wheels can spin or freeze, making you lose control. To avoid that, drive at a slow and steady speed. If your car starts to skid, stay calm and don’t panic; gently steer in the direction you want to go to help your tires grip the road again.

What to Do in Case of an Emergency on the Road

If you face an emergency on Omaha’s snowy roads, stay calm, pull your car to the side of the road, and turn on your hazard lights. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, place them safely behind your car so others can see you better in the snow. Stay inside your car to keep warm and avoid slipping on ice. Use your phone to call for road service and tell them where you are and what happened. Wrap yourself in a blanket and eat snacks to keep your energy up while you wait. If your engine is running, open a window a bit to let fresh air in and check that snow isn’t blocking the exhaust pipe to keep yourself safe from carbon monoxide. Let someone know where you are and what you’re doing.

Winter Safety Tips for Omaha Residents

Dressing for the Cold

When dressing for winter storm survival, start by putting on a base layer that keeps sweat off your skin. This could be cotton underalls and undergarments. For warmth, wear an insulating layer above that, such as a sweater or hoody, to hold in your body heat. Your outer layer is most important—it should be windproof and waterproof to shield you from the weather. And a hood always helps, even if you have a hat. For your feet, put on boots that are insulated, waterproof, and anti-slip to avoid slipping and falling. Also, don’t forget essential accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves to protect from frostbite.

Additional winter accessories to consider include:

• Ear muffs to shield your ears from the bitter cold
• Thermal socks to keep your feet extra warm
• Hand warmers that you can slip into gloves or pockets
• Neck gaiters for added warmth and protection against the wind

Preventing Cold-Related Injuries

Cold weather safety can be achieved with the right precautions. Frostbite is a common risk and happens when the skin is exposed to the cold for long periods of time without protection. To prevent this, make sure you cover all your skin when you go outside, avoid getting wet, and try not to be in the extreme cold for too long.

Another risk is hypothermia, which is when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. You might shiver, feel confused, or get very tired. To prevent hypothermia, dress properly and stay dry because wet clothing makes you lose heat faster. If you think you have hypothermia, get indoors fast and warm up slowly.

It’s also important not to drink alcohol before going into the cold because it can make you lose heat faster. Instead, drink a lot of water and eat healthy meals to help keep your body warm.

Preventing Slip-and-Fall Accidents

In Omaha, slip-and-fall accidents in winter can be rather common. To help prevent this, take slow, careful steps to keep your balance when you walk on icy ground. It’s also safer to keep your hands out of your pockets so you can balance better. Watch out when you go up and down stairs or slopes, and use handrails if you can.

Moreover, to prevent creating slippery situations outside your home, spread salt or sand on sidewalks and remove snow quickly so it doesn’t turn into hard ice. Inside your home, place mats to soak up water and stop floors from getting slippery. Look out for wet floors at entrances where snow might melt and cause slips.

Stay Safe and Prepared This Winter Season

Winter preparedness can keep you safe, but accidents can still happen due to the negligence of others. If you’re in an accident that wasn’t your fault, like a wintery car crash or an icy slip-and-fall, reach out to an Omaha personal injury lawyer at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. at (402) 505-8234 for a free consultation today.