Emergency kit checklist, travel tips, how to prepare your car
BEFORE THIS BIG SNOWFALL. SHE JOINS US LIVE WITH MORE TAYLOR. LAURIE. A STUDY FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT SHOVELING PUTS EXTRA STRESS ON THE HEART, WHICH MEANS THAT SIMPLE TASK COULD TURN INTO A DEADLY ONE. IF YOU DON’T NEED TO BE OUTSIDE, OR IF YOU DON’T NEED TO BE DOING SHOVELING, ASK FOR HELP. IT’S OKAY TO DO SO. BUT IF YOU MUST DO LITTLE BITS, MAKE SURE YOU’RE TAKING LOTS OF BREAKS AND TRY NOT TO OVERDO IT. EXTRA STRESS ON THE BODY ON TOP OF THE ALREADY COLD TEMPERATURES, WE WORRY ABOUT THINGS LIKE EXPOSURE TO THE COLD FOR TOO LONG, FROSTBITE. ET CETERA. SO WHEN GOING OUTSIDE, WE ALWAYS SUGGEST MAKE SURE YOU’RE WEARING HATS, GLOVES, PROTECTING THOSE EXTREMITIES THAT MIGHT BE MORE PRONE TO FROSTBITE. SHE ALSO RECOMMENDS WARM SHOES WITH GOOD TRACTION AND LAYERING UP. YOU’RE USUALLY GOING OUTSIDE AND YOU’RE DRESSED IN MULTIPLE LAYERS. THAT’S WHAT WE DO WHEN IT’S COLD OUTSIDE. AND REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU’RE HAVING MORE LAYERS ON, YOU’RE GOING TO SWEAT MORE, WHICH MEANS YOU NEED TO DRINK MORE WATER. SWEATING CAN LEAD TO DEHYDRATION IS A BIG IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT MOST FOLKS DON’T THINK ABOUT IN COLDER WEATHER AND LIFTING THE HEAVY SNOW ADDS YET ANOTHER STRESS TO THE BODY. SO TRYING TO LIFT IT AND THEN THROW IT INTO THE YARD USE A LOT MORE MUSCLES AND A LOT MORE EXERTION TO DO THAT. YOU’RE JUST TRYING TO GET THE SNOW OUT OF THE WAY, SO DON’T HAVE TO BE TOO, YOU KNOW, DON’T HAVE TO GET TOO CREATIVE WITH IT. SO YES, EVEN JUST PUSHING IT TO TO MAKE YOURSELF SOME ROOM. ANYONE WITH A CARDIOVASCULAR HISTORY SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY’RE, THAT THEY’RE VERY CAUTIOUS IF THEY HAVE TO MOVE THEIR SNOW. PATIENT FIRST SAYS THEIR FACILITIES WILL BE OPEN THROUGH THE STORM FROM 8 A
Winter weather driving guide: Emergency kit checklist, travel tips, how to prepare your car
Updated: 1:55 PM EST Jan 24, 2026
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Severe winter weather can quickly create hazardous travel conditions and, in some cases, dangerous situations. Video above: Medical experts explain why shoveling can be dangerousIf you get stuck in snow, slide off the road, or end up in a long traffic backup, an emergency kit can help you stay warm, visible and safe until help arrives. Emergency travel kit checklistPennDOT recommends keeping the following items in your winter emergency travel kit: Flashlight and batteriesBattery-operated radioJumper cablesCell phone and chargerSnow shovelMatches and candlesFirst aid suppliesExtra warm clothing and glovesBlanketIce ScraperSandBottled waterNon-perishable foodAnything else you may need to accommodate family traveling with you, such as medication, baby supplies, pet food, etc. Winter driving tipsPennDOT advises drivers to stay off the roads during hazardous weather, but if travel is necessary, here are some tips. Carry a winter emergency travel kit and cell phone. Follow weather and travel advisories. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Slow down and increase following distance. Avoid sudden stops and starts. Beware of roads that may look wet, but are actually frozen or coated with black ice. Use extra caution on bridges and ramps. Do not use cruise control while driving on snow-covered roads. Turn on your headlights when your wipers are on. Use low beams in bad weather, such as heavy or blowing snow. Remove all ice and snow from windows, mirrors, lights, hood and roof of your vehicle. Do not park or abandon your vehicle on snow emergency routes. Do not pass or go between plow trucks. Notify another person of your travel plans and when you expect to arrive in case of an emergency. Never drink and drive, and always wear your seatbelt. In the case of an emergency, if you do become stranded: PennDOT said it is safer for you to stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow and keep the downwind window slightly cracked for ventilation. Get your vehicle readyIf you plan to travel during winter weather, PennDOT recommends these steps to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road. Check and top off all fluids. Inspect your wipers. If they streak, consider installing winter wiper blades. Make sure the heater and defroster are working properly.Ensure the radio works so you can receive weather and traffic updates.Confirm all exterior lights are functioning.Check tire pressure and tread depth.Use dedicated snow tires if you have them.For more information and tips on winter weather driving from PennDOT, visit here.
Severe winter weather can quickly create hazardous travel conditions and, in some cases, dangerous situations.
Video above: Medical experts explain why shoveling can be dangerous
If you get stuck in snow, slide off the road, or end up in a long traffic backup, an emergency kit can help you stay warm, visible and safe until help arrives.
Emergency travel kit checklist
PennDOT recommends keeping the following items in your winter emergency travel kit:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-operated radio
- Jumper cables
- Cell phone and charger
- Snow shovel
- Matches and candles
- First aid supplies
- Extra warm clothing and gloves
- Blanket
- Ice Scraper
- Sand
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- Anything else you may need to accommodate family traveling with you, such as medication, baby supplies, pet food, etc.
Winter driving tips
PennDOT advises drivers to stay off the roads during hazardous weather, but if travel is necessary, here are some tips.
- Carry a winter emergency travel kit and cell phone.
- Follow weather and travel advisories.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Slow down and increase following distance. Avoid sudden stops and starts.
- Beware of roads that may look wet, but are actually frozen or coated with black ice.
- Use extra caution on bridges and ramps.
- Do not use cruise control while driving on snow-covered roads.
- Turn on your headlights when your wipers are on. Use low beams in bad weather, such as heavy or blowing snow.
- Remove all ice and snow from windows, mirrors, lights, hood and roof of your vehicle.
- Do not park or abandon your vehicle on snow emergency routes.
- Do not pass or go between plow trucks.
- Notify another person of your travel plans and when you expect to arrive in case of an emergency.
- Never drink and drive, and always wear your seatbelt.
In the case of an emergency, if you do become stranded:
PennDOT said it is safer for you to stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow and keep the downwind window slightly cracked for ventilation.
Get your vehicle ready
If you plan to travel during winter weather, PennDOT recommends these steps to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road.
- Check and top off all fluids.
- Inspect your wipers. If they streak, consider installing winter wiper blades.
- Make sure the heater and defroster are working properly.
- Ensure the radio works so you can receive weather and traffic updates.
- Confirm all exterior lights are functioning.
- Check tire pressure and tread depth.
- Use dedicated snow tires if you have them.
For more information and tips on winter weather driving from PennDOT, visit here.
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