The Kansas Department of Health and Environment offers the following preparedness tips for a safer winter season and hazardous weather travel.

Kansans are encouraged to prepare a winter car safety kit ahead of winter travel in the event they find themselves stranded or in an emergency.

A basic winter care survival kit can include cell phone, flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, sand, a first aid kit, jumper cables, ice scraper, and road flares. A more comprehensive care safety kit can be found online at http://www.kdheks.gov/beh/download/Winter car safety.pdf.

Last year in Kansas there were two parked vehicle deaths associated with alcohol and cold weather. Kansans should be aware that when celebrating during the holiday season, outdoor winter weather and alcohol consumption could become a dangerous combination. While alcohol already affects a person’s decision making skills, cold temperatures add the risk of hypothermia.

Hypothermia warning signs include shivering, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. These warning signs can become difficult to recognize if alcohol beverages have been consumed.