Dolores fire department offers winter safety tips

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared.

Prepare your car for winter. Start with a checkup that includes:

Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.

Changing and adjusting the spark plugs.

Checking the air, fuel and emissions filters, and the PCV valve.

Inspecting the distributor.

Checking the battery.

Checking the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth.

Checking antifreeze levels and the freeze line.

Your car should have a tune-up to ensure better gas mileage, quicker starts and faster response on pick-up and passing power.

An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of gas and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your trunk:

Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack

Shovel

Jumper cables

Tow and tire chains

Bag of salt or cat litter

Tool kit

Essential supplies

Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include: