Old Fashion Safety Advice

I recently travelled back to my home state of Nebraska for a family vacation, which for me is like going back in time. When I make it home, I am always reminded of family lost, especially my grandpa Cliff. As a kid, I was close to him and enjoyed life on his farm. While I grew up in a rural area, I did not grow up on an actual farm, so learning things from Grandpa Cliff was extra special and his advice was never wrong. I guess there is something to this “been there, done that” saying.

While I was back in Nebraska, I rented a car. No big deal, people do it all the time. But how often do we think about the possibility of an emergency situation and our ability to survive it. Like many places, cell signal can be spotty at best, especially if you are using a network carrier from another part of the country. Some parts of Nebraska are about as secluded as they come. Back roads, deep ditches, and ravines can lead to trouble if you are not prepared. If you are like me, we get complacent and comfortable knowing that the world is getting smaller and more connected, so we assume that someone will come along or we can just call AAA to come to our rescue. That would be great if you can call or if there is something close by to help.

It has been more than a minute since I have driven on those soggy, soft sided gravel roads completely saturated from the melting snow. If you drift too far left or too far right, it will literally suck you into the ditches. I know, because I came close to it happening and I know how to drive on such conditions. We had three days of warm weather and then a day of thermometer plunging cold. That is a recipe for disaster. It was these moments of recollection that spurred the topic for this blog.

Grandpa Cliff always told me stories of the good ‘ol days and some of the hardships they faced during travel. They did not have cell phones, 24-hour gas stations, or AAA services to bail them out of trouble. You followed good old-fashioned, common-sense precautions to prevent potential issues. I remember Grandpa telling me to always carry snacks, water, blankets, flashlights, and any tools needed to cut, chop, or even do minor repairs to you car. In his time, you had to be resourceful and plan. While this advice seems archaic, we still see and hear stories of people who thought they would go out for a walk, hike, or drive who then found themselves in a bad way. Those survival reality TV shows are quite popular for just this reason.

A simple google search will yield far more information on necessity items than I can possibly list here. I did see a site from Endurance, 29 Things You Need In Your Car Emergency Kit Right Now | Endurance (endurancewarranty.com), that had a very comprehensive list of items that should take care of most problems. They even remembered the duct tape. Never overlook the power of duct tape; even NASA likes it enough to use it!!!

My search also returned some great travel kits that include enough supplies for up to five people. When packing for the possible, you also have to remember the number of people in the party. Water and food go quickly when five people are consuming it. As with any planning process, accounting for the possible dangers, the remoteness of where you are traveling, and the conditions you might face require consideration. However, for the average traveler in most parts of this country, such kits will get the job done.

Taking notes from those who lived in harder times can be quite valuable, so listen when getting such advice. As small at the world is these days, there are still plenty of areas to get lost and plenty of dangers around the corner. I recall just this last year of a woman who chose to brave a blizzard in Buffalo, NY, and was not prepared for the dangers she faced. This poor woman was found frozen just a few hundred feet from her home and near other homes. She attempted to call for help, but for unknown reasons she did not make it. Likewise, a 22-year-old woman trapped in her car for 18 hours, in the same blizzard conditions in Buffalo, died as well. While driving home from work, her car got stuck. She had a cell phone and reached out for help, but responders could not get to her and her car shut down after the pipes were covered by the snow. After the car stopped running, the cold temperatures overcame her as well. Our condolences go out to their families.

This is a grim reminder, that bad things can happen anywhere at any time. Being prepared for the elements takes planning and forethought. It also requires us to recognize our limitations and vulnerabilities. While we will not likely endure such cold temperatures in the Southwest, extreme heat is just as deadly. Take no chances and remember to pack for the possible. The desert can be a very daunting place. We at Boss Security Screens want all of our readers to stay safe and sound at all times. Remember, “safe travels” is not just a saying...it is a way of life.

Until next time, be safe and remain vigilant!

Written by,

Michael Johnston

Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens