As I am watching snow on a radar screen about 100 miles from my location, I ran through a short list of things in the motor vehicles to be sure that they are equipped for winter travel. Yes, this is a rather boring and usually ignored subject, but once you slide your car down into a ditch and have to wait hours for a tow truck, you might then reconsider whether you should have perhaps considered at least a couple of these suggestions.

First are the obvious, like having your car in decent shape, as full of fuel as possible, a spare tire, a jack, some gloves, a shovel, the basics. Then, when it’s daylight, figure out how to change a headlight bulb and get a spare bulb. These can be a pain to change so don’t make yourself have to learn it in the dark. If you carry a decent flashlight, fine. If not, get at least a Maglite for the car. If you are lucky enough to be near a “real” Army surplus store, grab a wool blanket. Wool will keep you warm even when wet. If not, you can look online or just dig up an old blanket and stash it in the car. A small container about ¾ full of water can go with the blanket (leaving some space will keep it from blowing apart when it freezes and you can thaw it out with body heat) and some kind of snacks. Just alter this list as needed if you’re driving a big 4x4 as perhaps you’d want a wagon jack and some tow chains as well. Since the whole world carries a cell phone, I’m thinking you do, too, so you’ll have some means to call for assistance.

And, while there still are good Samaritans who may stop to help you, use reasonable judgment – they may not be good, of course, and if you’re in a car, they are just not built like they were twenty years ago. There’s not much underneath that will take the strain from a big truck dragging a car. Basically, if your vehicle does not have tow hooks, use a lot of caution. Finally, be sure that when the weather is really fierce, ask yourself if where you are going is really worth the risk of going there in the first place. If at all possible, sometimes it is far better to avoid the risk entirely and just stay home.