The weather during the winter months can make driving conditions unpredictable. You have to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you. Most people wait until the first snowfall to get out that ice scraper, but by then, it's usually too late.

Here is a list of items we recommend you keep in your car during the colder months:

• Shovel
• Sand, salt or kitty litter
• Traction mats
• Cloth or roll of paper towels
• Warning light or road flares
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Emergency food pack (includes non-perishable items like fruit or chocolate bars, nuts, juice packs and bottled water)
• Booster cables or a portable charger pack
• Ice scraper and brush
• Road maps
• Flashlight and batteries
• First-aid kit
• Blanket (special 'survival' blankets are best)
• Cellular phone and a charged spare battery