JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. -- With kids out of school today for the holiday, many families may head for the hills to take advantage of the new snow. If you're one of them, be prepared! One family called for help Sunday afternoon when they got stuck in the snow on Forest Road 3740 (photo). A search and rescue deputy came to their aid.
Here are some tips to help keep you safe in the snow:
* Start your trip with a full tank of gas.
* Tell someone where you're going and stick to your planned route.
* Go in a group; if one vehicle gets stuck, others are there to help.
* Take enough food, water, and supplies to be on your own for at least 24 hours.
* Make sure your vehicle is stocked with winter survival gear, just in case. Necessities include tire chains, flashlights, blankets, dry clothing, water, food, medications, waterproof boots and gloves, and a shovel.
* Check the weather forecast. A good local resource is the National Weather Service in Medford: http://www.weather.gov/mfr/
* Don't rely on your cell phone! Most of the problem areas have poor or no service. If you can't make a call, try sending a text -- they take less bandwidth and can sometimes get through.
* If you know someone who is missing, call us as soon as possible. You don't have to wait a certain amount of time before calling.
* If you aren't ready for the conditions, just stay home!
Search and rescue crews will always help in an emergency, but they shouldn't be part of your own safety plan. It can take hours for SAR to respond depending on location, conditions, and call volume. And remember that our amazing SAR teams are made up of volunteers. Every mission takes them away from their families and puts them into dangerous situations.
Thanks for your help. Be safe out there!