If you're ever stranded in your car because of a bad winter storm, being prepared can be the difference between survival and serious harm or death.For nearly two days back in January 2022, motorists were stuck on Interstate 95 in snowy and icy conditions in eastern Virginia after a storm left more than a foot of snow in the area.And now at the end of 2022, we're grappling with a "once-in-generation" bomb cyclone that could bring dangerous cold to much of the United States.Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions can be frightening and dangerous for travelers, and "are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter," according to AAA.Because of these risks, "it's always important to be prepared versus get caught in a situation that turns dangerous or potentially deadly, especially in the winter season when temperatures can drop very, very cold in a short amount of time," said CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray."Just as we prepare for hurricane season 맥스카지노� even if a hurricane doesn't come to our location, it's still better to be prepared," she added.Gray speaks from experience. "I learned it the hard way 맥스카지노� that Atlanta snow jam in 2014. I was stuck on the road for 15 hours, and I didn't have anything in my car," she said. "It was incredibly scary."You should, of course, minimize non-essential travel during severe winter weather, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency recommends.Regardless of where you live, "no part of the U.S. can handle a road turning into an ice rink," Gray said. "It doesn't matter how good you are as far as a driver in winter weather." But if you simply must travel, here's how to prepare in case you encounter severe weather this winter.Winterizing your carRegardless of whether a severe storm is coming, prepping your car to handle winter weather is something you should do every fall, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Have your vehicle serviced as often as its manufacturer recommends, and do the following, the CDC advises:맥스카지노� Have the radiator system serviced or check the antifreeze level with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.맥스카지노� Replace windshield wiper fluid with a winter-suitable mixture (which will contain additives to prevent freezing).맥스카지노� Ensure the tires have sufficient tread and air pressure, which you can measure with a tire gauge. Replace worn tires and fill low tires with air to the pressure recommended for your car.맥스카지노� Keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.맥스카지노� Keep your car in proper working condition by checking the heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil and battery.Preparing and packingBefore leaving, check the weather forecast and tell loved ones where you're going. If you become stuck in your car during a storm, being able to keep warm, signal distress, and stay safe, energized and nourished are top priorities, according to AAA, the Georgia agency, State Farm, the CDC and Almanac magazine.For such purposes, these organizations recommend you pack the following items:Well-being맥스카지노� Nonperishable, high-energy foods such as nuts, granola bars, dried fruit or beef jerky맥스카지노� Extra bottled water (Using an insulated bottle can help prevent freezing.)맥스카지노� Cup or makeshift cup in which you can melt snow 맥스카지노� using waterproof matches 맥스카지노� for drinking water맥스카지노� First aid kit including adhesive bandages, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap and pocketknife맥스카지노� Rags and hand cleaner (such as baby wipes)맥스카지노� Medications맥스카지노� Books, games or DVDs for occupying children, if applicableWarmth맥스카지노� Hats, wool socks, coat, hand and feet warmers, gloves, scarves, and blankets (which you can use to both cover up with and insulate your car by putting them in your windows)맥스카지노� Hiking boots (especially important if you must leave your car)맥스카지노� Sleeping bag맥스카지노� Rain ponchoTools, distress signals and navigation맥스카지노� Battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries and flares맥스카지노� A brightly colored cloth, which you could tie to your vehicle's antenna or secure atop your rolled-up window to ensure you are visible맥스카지노� A cell phone (which you should fully charge beforehand) and portable cell phone charger맥스카지노� Jumper cables, booster cables with fully charged battery or an external battery charger to start your car if the battery dies맥스카지노� Basic tool kit맥스카지노� Battery-powered radio with extra batteries맥스카지노� Small fire extinguisher (5-pound, Class B or Class C type) in case of car fire맥스카지노� Tire gauge to check pressure맥스카지노� Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair맥스카지노� Tire or tow chains맥스카지노� Glass scraper for clearing windows맥스카지노� Small, collapsible shovel to clear snow from exhaust pipe, since a blocked exhaust pipe can cause sickening or deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the vehicle while the engine is running맥스카지노� Sand or cat litter for gaining traction맥스카지노� Road salt맥스카지노� Anti-gelling fuel additive if your vehicle runs on diesel맥스카지노� Extra winter windshield wiper and antifreeze맥스카지노� General car emergency kit, which you should have on hand during any season: local and regional road maps, garbage bags, toilet paper, paper towels, and gas can.맥스카지노� Jack and lug wrench to change tires맥스카지노� Duct tape맥스카지노� Foam tire sealant for minor tire punctures맥스카지노� Scissors and string or cord맥스카지노� Spare change and cash맥스카지노� CompassBehaviors to avoidIf you're stuck in snowy or icy conditions, there are a few behaviors you should avoid. Don't leave your car unless you have to, as staying inside it provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to find you, according to AAA.You can exercise in your vehicle to keep warm, but don't exhaust yourself while doing this or clearing your windows or exhaust pipe. Turning your car on for about 10 minutes each hour 맥스카지노� and then off for the rest of the hour 맥스카지노� can help you conserve gas and ensure you're able to occasionally generate warmth.During nighttime, keep your dome light on if possible, since it uses only a small amount of electricity and can help rescuers find you.If traffic is still moving, slow down to at least half your normal speed and use a low gear, but not cruise control. When driving up a hill, don't stop 맥스카지노� get some inertia going on a flat road before you drive up the hill. Avoid steering or braking in an abrupt manner so you don't skid or spin out. At night, keep your headlights on low beam to avoid glare, and leave at least double the typical following distance between yourself and the car in front of you.If you see a truck spreading salt and gravel, don't try to pass it. Gravel could bounce upward and break your windshield.