As winter months approach, we can look forward to a beautiful blanket of crisp pristine snow and crystal blue skies overhead, but the beauty of freshly fallen snow can be deceptive. Heavy snow fall can mean plummeting temperatures, impassable roads and massive power failures for those who live in the Snow Belt.

Being prepared for a winter emergency is the best way to increase your chances of survival should the snow leave you stranded or without power.

What to Carry in Your Car's Winter Survival Kit

Space blankets are reflective tarps that fold up into compact bundles. They reflect your body heat back to you, helping to keep you warm when stranded.

Several wooden matches in a waterproof container are always good to keep on hand. Throw in a metal can and use these items to melt snow for drinking water.

A small radio and two flashlights should always be included. Pack away fresh, extra batteries or invest in hand crank powered models.

Keep chocolate bars, unsalted nuts and several plastic bottles of water for emergency rations. A small cup, trail mix and hot cocoa mix are good additions if you have the room.

An old cell phone can be used to call 911 even if there is no calling plan. You just need a charged battery or the means to charge it in an emergency.

A small toolkit with common wrenches and sockets, pliers and a tire iron is good to keep in the car year round. Throw in a few extra fuses, a quart of oil, transmission fluid and power steering fluid to help get you to a garage if a leak occurs.

Instant heat hand warmer are great for winter survival kits and are fairly inexpensive. They only provide heat for a few minutes, but can save fingers and toes from frost bite.

Thick, dry socks, an extra hat and gloves are useful to change out wet garments in cold weather. You may even want to carry a full change of warm clothing and an extra heavy jacket.

Candles and a pocket knife are good additions to your winter survival kit as are a few plastic garbage bags that will double as a dry ground covering in bad weather.

A first aid kit, tire chains, jumper cables, extra gasoline, a tow chain, a collapsible shovel, two cans of compressed air for flat tires, a windshield scrapper and local maps are all good items to carry in your vehicle's winter survival kit.

What to Pack for Your Winter Survival Kit at Home

An alternate heat source is a must. Fire wood or kerosene heaters are common choices.

Blankets are always welcome when the power goes off.

A hand powered can opener and several cans of food you can eat cold should be included as well as several gallons of drinking water. Include five gallons of water for each person in your home.

The standard radio, flashlight and batteries go into your home kit as well.

A dry chemical fire extinguisher should be included in case of a fire.

Matches are useful for lighting candles and relighting pilot lights on appliances, the water heater and the furnace once power is restored.

Candles are essential for light once the power fails, but remember to use them with caution. Keep the open flames covered with glass globes if possible to prevent an accidental fire.

These items can make surviving the dangerous effects of a heavy snowfall possible. While they may not keep you comfortable and entertained, they will keep you alive in the event of a winter emergency.

About the Author: David Camp is a staff writer for Northwest Backpack Specialties. They specialize in camping and hiking equipment for the outdoor enthusiast, featuring all the major brand names. As members of the Better Business Bureau, they offer reasonable shipping charges and 100% satisfaction guarantee an all of your camping and backpacking needs.