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Tidbits for ending and starting the year
By Richard C. Snell
Barton County Extension Agent, Ag
I'm looking forward to 2005 and hope you have a happy and blessed new year! In the meanwhile, we still have several of those small red cow-calf pocket record books for sale at $4 each. Stop by the office for your copy.
On Monday, Jan. 10, we will be holding a winter crops school at the newly remodeled 4-H educational building on Highway 281 between Hoisington and Great Bend. It will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Topics will include: soybean rust and soybean aphids, and soil compaction. We hope to have some of the seed companies there to discuss milo, corn, sunflower and milo varieties. More details will follow.
Winter driving tips that may save your lives
As I write this, the cold weather is really settling in, even though we don't have much for precipitation now, I'm sure it's coming. A lot of people will be on the highways over the Christmas and New Year's holidays and this brings driving safety to my thoughts.
Winter drivers are encouraged to reduce speed, allow a greater distance between vehicles, and more time and distance to stop. Doing so may allow crucial room to maneuver and avoid an accident. Drivers also are cautioned that driving on a recently plowed road does not necessarily mean 'resume normal speed.' Plowed or partially cleared roads may still not be free of snow or icy patches; bridges may be icy, too.
The age and condition of a car or truck can affect motorists' risks. Basic maintenance such as changing the oil every three months or 3000 miles can prolong the life of a vehicle, make it easier to start on cold winter days, and reduce the risk of a breakdown that can be particularly hazardous during winter months. Preventive maintenance can reduce on-the-road risks,
My mechanics offered these tips:
--Check the age and condition of the battery, and consider replacing a battery early. For example, replacing a four-year battery during the third year may be less costly than a wrecker service call when the battery fails.
--Check the level of the antifreeze and temperature range to protect the automotive cooling system.
--Replace windshield wiper blades frequently. Wiper blades are designed to remove water; using them for other purposes, like removing snow or ice from the windshield, can damage them.
--Keep the reservoir of windshield wiper fluid filled.
--Check the age and condition of tires. A good, all-season tire can provide reliable transportation under most travel conditions. Drivers who must be on the road during less favorable conditions may want to consider snow tires. A phone call to the highway patrol usually can clarify state regulations on snow tires and/or chains.
--If you are driving a two-wheel drive pickup, it is a must to get some sand bags or salt bags for weight in the bed, otherwise you have no traction.
Objects such as concrete blocks, that can fly through the cab in case of a sudden stop or an accident, are not recommended.
Telephone numbers for the highway patrol and road conditions usually are listed with other emergency numbers in the front of the phone book. In Kansas, the road condition hotline is 1-800-585-7623(road); cellular phone users can call Star 47, a toll-free number that will automatically connect them to the nearest highway patrol dispatcher.
The age of a car or truck also may make additional maintenance appropriate. For example, replacing radiator and heater hoses every 3 to 4 years can reduce the possibility of a breakdown. Checking the condition of the water pump, starter, and heating and exhaust systems is recommended.
People are driving their vehicles longer. Doing so can produce a substantial cost-saving, but designating part of the savings for preventive maintenance can increase safety and reliability.
Easy-to-do maintenance like cleaning the windows inside and out can improve safety because interior materials may give off vapors that can cloud windows and reduce visibility.
Assembling a vehicle safety kit may be just as important as keeping a first-aid kit. The contents recommended for a safety kit include a snow brush and ice scraper; small steel shovel; flashlight with fresh batteries; jumper cables; and abrasive materials, such as sand, cat litter, and/or traction mats (like a set of older floor mats or carpet scrap). A flare or bright piece of cloth that can be tied to an antenna in case of emergency, and an empty coffee can, candles and reliable matches also are good to include. I also like to carry a small fire extinguisher.
Blankets or sleeping bags and non-perishable foods, such as cereal bars or crackers, can be helpful. So can a cellular phone.
If stranded, I recommend staying with the vehicle. Then mark the vehicle with a bright tie or flare, and resisting the temptation to over-do it, like trying to shovel a car out of a big drift. Clear the area around the exhaust pipe of snow or other debris. Crack the window a bit to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and run the engine just long enough to remove the chill.
Wearing a seat belt is a safety step that can save your life. It also is required by law. Children should be secured in safety seats and children under 12 should be seated in the rear seat. It's always a good idea to monitor the weather, but especially important to do so during winter months. If travel is an option and not a requirement, the best strategy may be staying at home.
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