Winter driving poses many risks, and a common one is driving into a ditch.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf tells Raccoon Valley Radio there are many things someone can do if they become stranded in a ditch during the winter, the most important of which is to stay with the vehicle. Kempf adds that many people die each year because they leave their vehicle during a snowstorm and get lost.

He says other things to do are to tie a brightly colored piece of fabric to the vehicle to draw attention, do light exercise to keep circulation going to extremities and drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration, but avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

Kempf adds that there’s a way to keep warm when stranded.

“You can conserve your heat by turning your car on for 10 or 15 minutes every hour, making sure that tailpipe is clear of course, for carbon monoxide. But you can start the car up and warm the inside of the car, warm yourself, and then get covered up with the blankets again and shut it off to conserve the gas. So that’s really important.”

Kempf mentions a less common way to help attract attention is to raise the hood, though it’s important not to do it when it’s snowing.