TOLEDO, Ohio — November 17th is the start of Winter Safety Awareness Week in Ohio.
And it's just in time as a blast of winter weather is forecast to hit the area later in the week.
The winter season is fast approaching and every year it brings a whole host of chilly challenges.
Jeff Klein with Wood County EMA has been preparing people for northwest Ohio winters for years.
He says one of the first things you should do is prepare your vehicle.
"Make sure that your car is in good condition. The tires have the proper amount of air, you've got a full tank of gas, and you're ready to go for that,” said Klein.
And even if your car is tuned up and ready to go, icy roadways can leave drivers stranded.
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That's why being prepared with the right supplies is critical.
“You want to have some supplies in your car. You want to make sure in case you get stuck in a snow drift that you've got a shovel that you can get out. You can, you know, have some sand or cat litter or something like that that'll help get some traction. You want to make sure that you've got some food with you,” said Jeff Klein, Wood County EMA
Klein says extra preparation is needed at home too.
He says you should make an emergency plan, build an emergency kit and clean your furnaces. If the power goes out and you have a generator, make sure it's not in an enclosed environment inside the house.
"We want to make sure that they're out in the air because the carbon monoxide can really build up, and before you know it, you can really have a problem,” said Klein.
People in downtown Toledo on a mild November Sunday say they are looking forward to the winter and that they're finding ways to prep their home and car for the colder weather.
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"We're stocking up on firewood and we'll be putting plastic up on the windows, just to insulate a little bit more, keep the heat in,” said Luke Zemanek, who lives in Oregon.
Toledoan Justin Derber says he's thankful to live in a solid house.
"We have a pretty nicely made home, so everything's suited up really nicely. We have heat, and we actually have a fireplace that can heat it, said Derber.
Klein says now is the time to get your home and vehicle ready. Winter is coming.
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