Winter returns to Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs issued these tips to help you stay safe. Keep your eye on the weather forecast this weekend, as a series of snowstorms will be moving across the state. The National Weather Service said some areas of the state could receive up to six inches of snow on Sunday causing potentially hazardous driving conditions.

Now is the time to get ready for winter. Get your vehicles and home ready.

Here are a few simple things you can do:

• Have an emergency winter weather survival kit in your vehicle. Your kit should include water, snack food, such as energy bars or raisins, a first aid kit and booster cables. If you have a cell phone make sure you have a power adapter you can plug into the lighter. You can find more tip kits on their website http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.
• Check the roads and take your time. Call 511 or go to www.511wi.gov for the latest road conditions across Wisconsin. You can also go to this website for a regional travel map which covers North and South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/511/default.asp. Make sure you plan extra time if you travel. Roads may become icy and snow packed. Also, keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle in case of an emergency and let friends and family know where you are traveling to and when you should arrive.
• Get supplies for your home. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked with food that can be stored and eaten without electricity, in case there is a power outage. Also, make sure you have extra water, flashlights with extra batteries and medications. For a complete list of kit items go to: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/kit/GetKit.asp.
• Stay informed. ReadyWisconsin will keep you posted on any emergencies that occur during the storm. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/readywisconsin) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/readywisconsin) for updates.