Growing up in Minnesota I learned at a young age every time you left the house in a vehicle during the winter, there was a high probability you would be caught in a winter storm, or dangerous road conditions, and stranded anywhere from a half an hour to overnight.

Surviving most emergency's is about being prepared. If you prepare you and your car for the most common things that can happen in winter driving, your odds of survival will be greater if you ever get stranded. Also if you are prepared, you are able to assist others in an emergency situation.

Being prepared for winter can be slightly different than your normal car bag or emergency kit for your car. There may be a few extras you need, but they're always handy to have no matter what weather you are driving in.

Here is a list of the most common winter driving items you should keep in your car at all times.

General Car Winter Kit:

First off always have your car tuned up and winterized, and always leave the house with at least three quarters of a tank of gas.

First aid kit and a road side emergency kit, you can buy a premade kit or you can make your own and it will be more personalized as well as cheaper and a better quality.

Here is a list of have to haves:

Jumper cables or a Jump Box- a jump box holds a charge for jump starting a car and usually has an emergency light and an air compressor.

Flares

Ice scraper

Deicer

Any medicine you may need along with food and water. Pack enough for spending at least one night in the vehicle.

If you get stuck in the snow or ice these items will come in handy:

Chains for the tires, a bag of sand and carpet remnants to place under the tires for traction, a shovel, a tow rope or tow chain.

Have warm clothing in the car at all times for everyone that would ride in your vehicle. This will be very important if you do become stuck or stranded for any length of time. Also if you choose to walk to a nearby house or gas station you will be happy you packed clothes for extreme temperatures and conditions.

Clothes would include a minimum of a warm hat, insulated waterproof gloves, insulated waterproof winter coat, some type of insulated waterproof coveralls, snowmobile suit, or ski bibs and waterproof insulated Boots.

Always carry some type of face cover, such as a scarf, or an insulated face mask to protect your face from frostbite; it also makes it much easier to breath if you get caught out in the elements during a winter storm.   Extra socks come in handy especially in the winter if you get stuck or have to walk any length of distance because your socks will get wet.

Extra blankets, you could use old blankets that you don't use in the house anymore, or you could simply go buy some of those cheap emergency blankets.

Wind up radio and a cell phone charger.

Have matches or a lighter and a big candle. You would be surprised how warm a large candle can keep you while in a car in the winter.

In the winter, if there's any doubts on the safety of travel you probably shouldn't chance it.

Just stay home next to a cozy fire with a good book. Maybe pop some popcorn with your family and enjoy the snow day.  

But if duty calls, or you just get caught out in a winter storm and get stranded for the day, or even a couple days, having these items can make the difference between you coming home and spending that time by the fire, or a having a tragic ending.

We all make decisions every day on what we should do and what we can put off. Make the decision now that you're going to survive a winter storm in the car. Make the decision to be prepared for a winter storm, and the odds will be in your favor for survival.

Then you can make it home to sit by the fire with a good book, and spend the afternoon next to the fire with your family.