Okay, so, Texans, over the next week, keep in mind a few things: black ice and ice are not the same thing. Black ice is basically invisible and is caused by water vapor in exhaust from cars freezing when it hits the road.

It can also be caused by a briefly warm period that then goes back into freezing. On the roads, it is thin, slick, and nearly invisbile. You’ll notice a gleam where the road looks wet and that’s about it.

The danger of black ice is that you hit it and you instantly lose traction. If you feel your car skidding, your instinct will be to slam on the brake and try to steer away from where you’re skidding. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THAT.

Instead, when you start to skid, take note of where the back of your car is sliding and steer that way. Also look in the direction you want to be going. Here’s a good video from Consumer Reports:

Remember if you are driving an SUV or a truck, you have a higher center of gravity, which makes a rollover *extremely easy* especially in the snow! Slow and steady; avoid sudden braking or acceleration and increase your following distance.

Before you go out, ask yourself: “Do I really, really need to do this right now?” If it can wait, then wait it out.

If you absolutely MUST go out, pack a safety kit in your car: blankets, flares, bottles of water, some granola, and some cat litter, as well as a shovel.

If you end up off the road and stuck in a ditch, bundle up in the blankets and turn your car off to conserve gas. If you’re able to, you can get out and make sure the tailpipe is clear, but don’t try to go walking for help. We have cell phones and highway patrol. They will help.

One thing ice storms can do real quick is bring down power lines and trees. Don’t park under a tree and don’t approach downed power lines. Treat it like a tornado - avoid the shit that’s gonna fall or go flying.

IF YOU ARE STUCK AT HOME WITHOUT POWER:

1. If you have a gas range, it’s probably not affected by power, so use it to make warm things like tea or soup. Do NOT turn it on and leave the door open to heat your place. You’ll get carbon monoxide poisoning and die.

2. Layer up! You’re gonna look weird, but who fucking cares. Ensure toes and fingers are covered at all times. Using a hot water bottle helps.

3. Put your phones down to conserve power.

4. Make sure all gaps in your windows are closed. You’ll feel a draft - stuff a towel in.

5. if your clothing gets wet for whatever reason, change it out quickly (easy to do if you’re at home). Wet clothing in cold temps can accelarate the hypothermia process.

I just realized I didn’t address why you should have a thing of cat litter in your car!

Put it under your tires if you get stuck and it’ll help provide traction to get out.

You can also use your floor mats for this same purpose. You will work up a sweat digging your car out, but don’t strip off the layers until you get to a place you know is safe and warm.

Yes, the cheap clay stuff. And it goes without saying: but, uh, clean stuff. Don’t grab a bag from your kitty’s box. https://twitter.com/Fiordiligi5/status/1361497496237666306

yeah, grills, generators, anything that produces CO should be placed OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. Not in the garage. Not in the shed. OUTSIDE. https://twitter.com/llr517/status/1361497987730444288

Speaking of outside: you’re gonna want to go out and take pictures and play. Be careful! Limit the amount of exposed skin (a face mask covered by a scarf helps!). Wear layers. And *limit your time outside*. Frostbite can set in a matter of minutes.

SPEAKING OF FROSTBITE:

Recognize it: it starts out red, turns white (often with blisters), and then black. If you hit white, you need a doc. Black is tissue damage which means you may lose a digit.

To treat mild cases, use a warm water bath and soak the affected area. This helps it to warm up slowly. Don’t apply direct heat. Don’t rub (that can damage the frozen layers of skin).

Don’t pop any blisters. That’s asking for infection.

And if you get frostbitten, for fuck’s sake, stay inside. Don’t warm your kids’ hands up and then head back outside!

That’s all the stuff I can think of for now but honestly, the overarching thing is what I’ve been saying all pandemic:

STAY THE FUCK AT HOME

oh i thought of one more thing, three hours later: if you do go out and need to use your car, knock on the hood a few times before starting it. In cold weather, stray kittens and other animals will crawl up into the engine to try and keep warm. Knocking scares them out.