Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Thursday is Iowa Winter Weather Awareness Day, and though Washington County hasn’t seen snowfall yet, now is the time to prepare your vehicle for the months of winter driving ahead.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says winterizing your vehicle is important, including performing checks on fluids and the tread of your tires. Reisen mentions what emergency items you should keep in your car, “You should always have an emergency kit that would have food, water, boots, extra clothes. My big recommendation is extra socks because if you get wet socks you’re always miserable. So those are the most important, in my opinion, most important thing to have.”

A trip to a pet supply store could be beneficial for those with bald tires, “Another thing to keep in your car, in your emergency kit is kitty litter. You can spread it under your tires if you’re having trouble getting traction when you’re parked somewhere or if you slide off the road. It’s something for the tires to hold onto and grab so you can actually move.”

During winter conditions Reisen advises to drive as little as possible, otherwise it’s important to mentally prepare yourself to drive more slowly and carefully on the road.