Source: Annhall Norris, Food Preservation and Food Safety Extension Specialist
 
Preparing for an ice/snowstorm, or other potential natural disasters, is important in keeping you and your families safer. Winter storms can create dangerous roads and a higher risk of frostbite, hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Having an emergency kit with essential items in your home is the first step to surviving such an event, but you should also think about your car. Creating a vehicle emergency kit can help you and your family be prepared if caught out during a winter storm.  

Include these items in your vehicle and have them in a bag, bucket or small tote for easy access: 

· Warm clothes (heavy coat, extra socks, gloves, hand warmers, etc.) 

· Blankets 

· Ice/snow scraper 

· Bottled water 

· Shelf-stable snacks (choose high protein foods to provide energy) 

· Flashlight 

· Cell phone charger and battery backup 

· Jumper cables or battery-powered jump starter 

· Sand or kitty litter (to help with traction if you are stuck in snow) 

· Small or collapsable shovel 

· Roadside flares or glow sticks 

· Flat tire inflation canister (non-explosive) 

During the winter months, always keep your gas tank full.

· Don’t let it get low as you never know when you might be sitting for a while and unable to refuel. If you’re stranded, only run the engine for 10 minutes each hour to charge your phone and run the heater.  

· Be sure to open a window slightly allowing fresh air to enter the car and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning while it’s running. 

Keep your vehicle(s) and home safer this winter season with these helpful tips.