With the snowy conditions coming into the state of Iowa, an expert in Dallas County highlights materials that people should keep in their vehicles.

According to Dallas County Emergency Management Coordinator AJ Seely, winter preparedness is critical when it comes to taking the right precautions for the weather. He says that even the most miniscule things should be taken seriously when temperatures are below freezing, explaining that leaving the house with a coat, gloves on, and a hat is a smart decision to keep your body warm. Seely names other essential items to have in a vehicle.

“You can add things like hand warmers (and) blankets. A big one is a phone charger. Just like our car batteries sometimes have difficulty in the cold weather, our phones do too. So having the ability to plug in and make sure that you can reach somebody in an emergency (situation).”

Seely points out additional tools include a flashlight, jumper cables, or a small shovel to use if you were to fall into the ditch. He acknowledges that most people don’t believe that they’d be the ones to end up in a ditch, but he stresses these tips as an extra layer of protection.