‘I can’t believe I have to say this’: Texas man begs people to stop making one deadly mistake during the winter storm

A Texas resident is fed up with people making a dangerous mistake as a massive winter storm covers the country from Arizona to Maine. TayloringAustin, a man who shares advice online, had to issue a warning after telling people to gas up their vehicles for emergencies. He went viral on a video platform reminding everyone of basic safety rules.

“Austin, I can’t believe I have to come on here and say this, but some of y’all are p—— me off,” he said in a viral TikTok video that’s already gotten thousands of views. The big problem is that cold, scared people are trying to stay warm by running their cars inside their homes. This is deadly, and TayloringAustin’s point is clear: if you lose power and sit in your running car for warmth, you cannot do it in an enclosed space like a garage.

According to Motor1, he repeated his initial advice but added a crucial safety warning. “I know in my last video I said, ‘Please make sure you have gas in your car.’ That’s still true. But please make sure you’re not sitting in your car, in an enclosed environment (like your garage) with it on.” As he wrote in the video’s caption, the goal is to “Let’s be smart about this.” Carbon monoxide is an invisible killer, and panic makes people forget basic safety.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real threat people keep ignoring

TayloringAustin later said in the comments that people “aren’t thinking things through” when they’re cold and worried about losing electricity. The community quickly backed up his warning and added more safety tips. One user shared their experience, saying “Great tip! I’ve lost power for multiple days the last two times and I would sit in my car, charge my phone, and warm up every day. It was a little treat 😂”

Another commenter recalled a past storm: “Great advice! Last icepocalypse we were out of power for 6 days in the hill country and had to siphon gas out of our vehicles for the generator!” One user joked, “well fortunately my car decided to turn its check engine light on so i won’t be going nowhere.” Knowing what car parts are critical can help prevent dangerous situations. The National Weather Service has key advice for those staying indoors.

If you’re using a furnace, fireplace, or wood-burning stove, double-check that all ventilation paths are clear. Driving during a severe storm is strongly discouraged. If you can avoid it, stay home. If you must drive, treat it like a mini-arctic expedition.

Make sure your electronics are fully charged, pack an emergency supplies kit, and let someone know your exact route. Clear your vehicle completely of snow before you leave and drive slowly because snow can easily hide dangerous ice or other road hazards. If you find yourself stranded in white-out conditions, stay in the car.

Walking around is a fast way to get lost. To stay warm, you can run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour, but crack a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of packed snow. Understanding essential features modern cars need can be crucial for safety during emergencies. Tie a bright red or colored cloth to your antenna or door handle for visibility, turn on your dome light if it gets dark, and raise the hood once the snow clears as a signal that you need help.