The National Weather Service offices in Wyoming remind people that it's not too early to begin thinking about winter weather safety.

They have declared today Wyoming Winter Awareness Day

Besides testing the Emergency Alert System with a test blizzard warning at 10 a.m. today, Chris Jones said he wants people to put winter storm survival kits in their cars, prepare their homes and cars for winter and become aware of how dangerous snow and ice can be.

"Winter might be literally around the corner," said Jones, warning coordination meteorologist with the Riverton offices. "It could snow Saturday or Sunday."

A winter storm survival kit should include: jumper cables; flashlights and batteries; nonperishable food items; bottled water; water-proof matches, something to melt ice or snow in; first-aid items and extra medicine.

"Hopefully, this will not only help you survive being stranded but also encourage you to stay with your vehicle," Jones said.

Every year Jones hears of several people who die because they leave the car in search of help.

To help you travel safely from point A to point B in your car during the winter, there are certain tips you should follow:

- Make sure your tires are in good shape and consider purchasing snow tires.

- Have your oil changed right before weather turns cold.

- Check washer fluid levels and add a deicing component to the washer fluid.

- Keep chains in your car.

- Purchase an all-hazards portable radio for weather updates.

Jones said the radios cost about $30 to $40 at most electronic stores.

He said drivers should keep about a quarter to a half a tank of gas in their car during the winter. If they become stranded, the fuel can be used to keep the car heated.

If a person is stranded, he should run the motor about 10 minutes every hour for heat, but remember to crack windows a bit to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

He said people in Wyoming are used to driving long distances to meetings or football games in Laramie, but they should abandon the mind set that their "big truck" can weather the storm and they will make it no matter how bad the weather is.

"We think, 'We can make that trip. I've made it before,' " Jones said. "No trip is a must trip."

He has seen multiple-car pile ups and deaths occur because people thought they could make it. He encourages people to call the weather service at (800) 211-1448 for road condition information and advice, if they are thinking about traveling in a storm.

People can always postpone a trip a day or try to leave early if they know a storm is coming.

For other winter weather safety tips, people can visit www.weather.gov/riw/?n=cms_winter.

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.

Learn how to spot snow

What: Snow Spotter Training is a course for anyone interested in reporting precipitation and snow amounts year round. After the course, trained observers will be asked to provide local precipitation reports to help the National Weather Service consider drought and flood issues as well as snowfall patterns.

Where: The training session will be held in Casper at the Farm Service Agency at 951 Werner Court, Suite 130. The training is free.

When: The one-hour class will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16.

For more information: Contact the National Weather Service Riverton office at (800) 211-1448 or visit www.weather.gov/riverton

What: Snow Spotter Training is a course for anyone interested in reporting precipitation and snow amounts year round. After the course, trained observers will be asked to provide local precipitation reports to help the National Weather Service consider drought and flood issues as well as snowfall patterns.

Where: The training session will be held in Casper at the Farm Service Agency at 951 Werner Court, Suite 130. The training is free.

When: The one-hour class will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16.

For more information: Contact the National Weather Service Riverton office at (800) 211-1448 or visit www.weather.gov/riverton]]->