While the region has seen cold temperatures for a while, winter officially began this week, bringing more potential for weather events that affect driving. LaDonna Werth is an Extension Education for Holt and Boyd counties in Nebraska. She says it’s very important for drivers to prepare a survival kit in the case of being stranded on roadsides.

Werth recommends keeping in mind any children or elderly passengers that may not be able to keep as warm in the event of an emergency while preparing a kit.

She says a phone book is important in the case of lost cell phone service and flares to alert anyone of where your vehicle is located.

Werth recommends weather.gov for a full listing of items that can and should be included in an emergency kit.