In the US, millions of new drivers hit the road every year, not to mention those drivers moving to or visiting snowy areas for the first time. That means, there is a lot of inexperienced winter driving happening on our roadways. In truth, even the most seasoned drivers can use a refresher on winter road safety to improve our driving habits.

Safely venturing out onto wintry roads requires a little extra prep work for both you and your vehicle. Packing a vehicle safety kit is one of the most important pre-winter steps to help your drive go smoothly and ensure you are ready for emergencies, both large and small.

Before the advent of satellites, doppler radar, and smartphone apps, how did we forecast the weather? Humans have spent generations observing nature and honing in on indicators of what winter has in store for us. Some of these folksy predictions show that our ancestors’ grasp on causality was not always accurate. However, there are some winter folklore observations that possibly have scientific ties to actual climate patterns.

Did you know that over 8 million Americans visit the Emergency Room each year due to accidental falls? According to the CDC, that encompasses almost ⅓ (31.5%) of non-fatal ER accidents. We all know that icy and wet conditions dramatically increase these risks, both at work and at home. So with an eye on winter’s approach, let’s learn how we can prevent slip and fall accidents and stay safe this winter.