(ABC 6 News) – With a winter storm on its way, first responders and health experts ask people to prepare for the worst.

The winter storms are finally on their way, and with them, can come dangerous roads. People can find themselves spinning out and ending up in a ditch, even while driving cautiously.

If you have to be on the road, it’s best to be prepared in case you slip and slide.

While a blanket is one of many ways to keep yourself warm if you’re stuck out on the roads, having a survival bag full of layers, food and water can avoid frostbite before help arrives.

“Make sure your winter survival kit is in your car,” said Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol. “You want to make sure you have warm blankets, a cell phone charger, some water, and some high protein bars to have something to eat if you’re waiting for an extended period of time.”

If its not you spinning out, it could be a fellow driver. Law enforcement recommends you call for help, but if you do need to help someone out, it’s important to look for some important signs while you wait for help to arrive.

“Try to, first of all, break open what’s going on,” said Dr. Harsh Patel, a family medicine resident at Mayo Clinic. “Try to look at their fingers first and their nose and the common area; if you see any discoloration like redness or blackness coloration, that’s the potential signs of frostbite. So, at that point of time, covering them with a warm blanket is the key, give them the essential warmth.”

Depending on where you spin out and how deep the snow is, it’s also important to ensure your exhaust isn’t covered up to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Try to warm your hands warm and try to apply some heat if possible, other than that, check if the car, and your car is functioning and your car is on. Maybe you transition them, if they’re not severely injured and if they have minor injuries, maybe put them in your car and let the heater run,” added Christianson.

And something else that I always like to keep in my own survival kit, an extra couple pair of socks. Because as long as you keep your feet warm, you’ll always keep the rest of your body warm.