The way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia is to plan for extreme cold before it arrives. Don’t get caught unprepared.

Check the Forecast!
Adjust Your Schedule: If possible, adjust your schedule to avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, typically the early morning. Try to find a warm spot for your children while waiting for the school bus outside.

Protect Your Pets, Livestock and other Property: If you have pets or farm animals, make sure they have plenty of food and water, and are not overly exposed to extreme cold. Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze. Know the temperature thresholds of your plants and crops.

Fill up the tank: Make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half a tank of gas during extreme cold situations so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.

Dress for the outdoors even if you don’t think you’ll be out much.

Update Your Winter Car Survival Kit: Make sure your car survival kit has the following:
Jumper cables: flares or reflective triangle are great extras

Flashlights: Replace the batteries before the winter season starts and pack some extras

First Aid Kit: Also check your purse of bag for essential medications
Baby, special needs gear: If you have a baby or family member with special needs, pack diapers and any special formula or food

Food: Stock non-perishable food such as canned food and a can opener, dry cereal and protein rich foods like nuts and energy bars

Water: Have at least 1 gallon of water per person a day for at least 3 days

Basic toolkit: Pliers, wrench, screwdriver

Pet supplies: Food and water

Radio: Battery or hand cranked

Cat litter or sand: For better tire traction

Shovel: To dig out snow

Ice scraper: Even if you usually park in a garage, have one in the car.

Clothes: Make sure you dress for the weather in warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes for the cold

Warmers: Pack extra for body, hands, feet

Blankets or sleeping bags: If you get stranded in traffic on a lonely road, you’ll be glad to have it.

Charged Cell Phone: Keep a spare charger in your car as well