Be ready for winter

Winter in Wisconsin is packed with days of sledding and ice fishing, skiing and snowmobiling. But winter also brings snowstorms and bone-shaking windchills.

Winter Awareness Week across Wisconsin is Nov. 4-9. It is a great time for families to make sure they are prepared for winter conditions that could threaten their safety.

It's important to create an emergency supply kit for the car. The kit could save lives if a driver is stranded in a storm. The driver and any passengers will need to take care of themselves until help arrives. The kit should include:

• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Shovel, booster cables and windshield scraper
• Non-perishable food like raisins and energy bars
• Water
• Sand or cat litter for traction
• Cell phone adapter

Wisconsin Emergency Management and its ReadyWisconsin campaign will spread the emergency supply kit message in TV and radio ads that will be seen and heard across the state in November.

For more information on how to get a kit and make an emergency plan, visit readywisconsin.wi.gov. Log on for preparedness tips and winter weather facts. Play the Trivia Challenge for a chance to win a winter emergency supply kit.