You need these things in your car in case of severe winter storms

If you're ever stranded in your car because of a winter storm, being prepared can be the difference between survival and serious harm or death.

Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions can be dangerous for travelers, and "are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter," according to AAA.

"It's always important to be prepared versus get caught in a situation that turns dangerous or potentially deadly, especially in the winter season when temperatures can drop very, very cold in a short amount of time," CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray said.

Gray speaks from experience. "I learned it the hard way - that Atlanta snow jam in 2014," she said. "I was stuck on the road for 15 hours, and I didn't have anything in my car."

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You should minimize nonessential travel during severe winter weather, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency recommends. But if you must travel, here's how to prepare in case you encounter severe weather.

Regardless of whether a severe storm is coming, prepping your car to handle winter weather is something you should do every fall, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Have your vehicle serviced as often as its manufacturer recommends, and do the following, the CDC advises:

Before leaving, check the weather forecast and tell loved ones where you're going. If you become stuck in your car during a storm, being able to keep warm, signal distress, and stay safe, energized and nourished are top priorities, according to AAA, the Georgia agency, State Farm, the CDC and Almanac magazine.

For such purposes, these organizations recommend you pack the following items:

Well-being

Warmth

Tools, distress signals and navigation

If you're stuck in snowy or icy conditions, there are a few behaviors you should avoid. Don't leave your car unless you have to, as staying inside it provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to find you, according to AAA.

You can exercise in your vehicle to keep warm, but don't exhaust yourself while doing so or clearing your windows or exhaust pipe. Turning your car on for about 10 minutes each hour - and then off for the rest of the hour - can help you conserve gas and ensure you're able to generate warmth occasionally.

During nighttime, keep your dome light on if possible since it uses only a small amount of electricity and can help rescuers find you.

If traffic is still moving, slow down to at least half your normal speed and use a low gear, but not cruise control. When driving up a hill, don't stop - get some inertia going on a flat road before you drive up the hill. Avoid steering or braking in an abrupt manner so you don't skid or spin out. At night, keep your headlights on low beam to avoid glare and leave at least double the typical following distance between yourself and the car in front of you.

If you see a truck spreading salt and gravel, don't try to pass it. Gravel could bounce upward and break your windshield.

CNN's Jason Hanna, Steve Almasy, Alisha Ebrahimji, Jennifer Gray, Marnie Hunter, Forrest Brown and Jamie Gumbrecht contributed to this report. This story was first published in January 2022 and is updated periodically for major winter weather events.