As we trek along through Winter Weather Awareness Week, Wednesday is dedicated to being prepared before winter hits.

One of the things you can do is prepare your vehicle. This can be done by putting several items inside your vehicle now before winter weather hits so it will all be ready to be used in case of emergency.

Some of these items that should be stored in a vehicle include a mobile phone charger, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, extra clothing, a shovel, tow rope, battery cables, even a water container, all can be very beneficial for you if you are stuck in a winter weather situation.

The National Weather Service offers these preparedness tips:

At Home and Work

The primary concerns during a winter storm are loss of heat, power and telephone service and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day. Have these items available:

Flashlight and extra batteries Battery powered NOAA Weather Radio Extra food and water Extra medicine and baby items First-aid supplies

Emergency heat source Heating fuel Fire extinguisher Smoke alarm - Test once a month Make sure pets and livestock have plenty of food, water and shelter

In Vehicles

Plan your travel and check the latest weather reports to avoid the storm. Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins. Carry a winter storm survival kit with these items:

Mobile phone and charger Blankets/sleeping bags Flashlight with extra batteries First-aid kit Extra clothing Shovel Windshield scraper and brush Tool kit

Tow rope Battery booster cables Water container Compass and road maps High-calorie, non-perishable food Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water Knife

On the Farm/Pets

Take these steps before the storm hits to ensure the safety of your pets and animals:

• Move animals to sheltered areas.
• Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas.
• Have water available. Most animals die from dehydration in winter storms.
• Make sure pets have plenty of food, water and shelter.

The National Weather Service dedicates one week out of very fall season to talk about winter weather awareness as it approaches.

Montana Winter Weather Awareness Week runs from Oct. 19 to 23.

Each day is dedicated to a topic related to various types of winter weather.

Here's a list of the focus of each day for the rest of Winter Weather Awareness Week:

Thursday, October 22: Safety: Caught in the Storm

Friday, October 23: Weather Information Sources

Tuesday: Weather climatology

(From Oct. 20, 2009)

The National Weather Service dedicates one week out of very fall season to talk about winter weather awareness as it approaches.

Montana Winter Weather Awareness Week runs from Oct. 19 to 23.

Each day is dedicated to a topic related to various types of winter weather.

On Tuesday, the focus was on the winter weather climatology.

Every year winter claims dozens of lives and does millions of dollars in damage. Cold weather exposure and automobile accidents are the main causes of winter weather related deaths in Montana. Livestock injuries and deaths can also be quite common during the more hazardous events.

Speaking specifically about the climatology, Montana averages just over 27 winter storms each winter season. That is over the last 10 years.

The state sees an average of three blizzards every year. Ice storms are less frequent with an average of one every two years.

There is an average of just over one death per year in Montana for cold weather related incident.

As we prepare for another winter season in southwest Montana, now is the time to make sure you are prepared for the hazards that come.

Here's a list of the focus of each day during Winter Weather Awareness Week:

Monday, October 19: NWS Watch and Warning Program

Tuesday, October 20: Winter Weather Climatology

Wednesday, October 21: Be Prepared Ahead of the Storm

Thursday, October 22: Safety: Caught in the Storm

Friday, October 23: Weather Information Sources

Click here for more information on Winter Weather Awareness Week.