ST. LOUIS – Cold, slippery winter weather is not far off. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service are set to join forces to promote Winter Weather Preparedness Week.

Authorities are saying the keys are to plan ahead and prioritize safety. State officials will highlight various aspects this week of how Missourians can plan ahead for winter weather and then how to deal with winter storms once they arrive.

State officials are highlighting different areas of winter weather preparedness from Monday through Friday. These areas include winter weather terminology, ice safety, snow safety, extreme cold, and planning for snow, ice, and cold.

State officials say that 37 people died in Missouri in 2023 as a result of low body temperatures due to prolonged exposure to cold weather.

The Missouri Highway Patrol pointed out that there were more than 2,800 crashes statewide last year during periods of snow, sleet, hail, or ice, resulting in nearly 1200 injuries and 22 deaths.

Authorities have several suggestions for families before the snow and frigid temps arrive. They say you should create a family emergency plan and have an emergency kit that should include bottled water, non-perishable foods, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.

Officials also suggested assembling a vehicle winter emergency kit that should have things like a blanket, snacks, jumper cables, and flares. Officials say to avoid driving when conditions could deteriorate.

Make sure alternate heat and power sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, and generators are functioning properly. And finally, officials are reminding people that space heaters are potentially deadly when misused. All of these are key factors to dealing with the winter weather.