Winter officially begins December 21st, but with freezing temperatures and snow in the forecast there are a few things you should keep in your car. Washington and Keokuk Counties Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Smith advises you should always have a phone charger, jumper cables, a few snacks and some water in your car, regardless of the season. During winter, he says you should have a blanket, ice scraper and cat litter in case the vehicle gets stuck in the snow. He also recommends checking your tires for proper tread before roads get slick this season.