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Winter driving is no easy task, but in Alaska, added to the icy roads are moose, more hours of darkness, and -- in recent weeks -- sub-zero temperatures. All of these things come together to make for a commute that's not just difficult, but down right dangerous. As such, it is important to be prepared for the worst.

"The best idea is to have a survival kit in every vehicle," said Gordon Orth, assistant chief at Central Emergency Services in Soldotna.

Wether a vehicle is in an accident with another motorist or a moose, or just gets stuck or breaks down on the side of the road, an emergency kit can often mean the difference between inconvenience and tragedy.

Some of the emergency kit items are things that should be in a vehicle year-round, such as jumper cables, flares and a basic first aid kit. However, there are other considerations to include once the mercury drops.

"If you ever break down, you want warm clothes. People could put them on themselves or lend them in an emergency," Orth said.

Gloves, hats and coats could all keep someone warm in an emergency, and blankets are also a good idea, according to Orth.

"In an accident with broken glass they could be used to cover the window to hold in heat, or they could be used to cover a victim that is trapped to help them conserve heat," he said.

Orth said the disposable, chemical hand-warmers, are also essential to the emergency kit.

"If you're in an area without many motorists, and ever have to walk, you could put them in your gloves and shoes," he said.

Orth also recommended that motorists keep in their kits some form of illumination device, such as a flashlight or headlamp.

"They're good for signalling and just to see in the vehicle if you lose power. Even the little disposable ones last a long time and give off a lot of light," he said.

Sometimes motorists don't have to be involved in a collision to find themselves in a dangerous situation, so Orth also recommended carrying a few items for self-help.

"A coffee can of kitty litter works exceptionally well when on a slick spot and there's no traction. Cable chains are also fairly inexpensive and easy to put on. And in deeper snow, a small or collapsible shovel is a great idea," he said.

This may sound like a lot of items, but Orth said just putting them all into a soft-sided bag or backpack, and putting it in the vehicle at the start of winter, is the easiest way to be prepared.

"It's best to carry the bag inside the vehicle, too. It's more accessible in an accident, and the clothes and blankets will be warmer than if in the trunk," he said.

In addition to the emergency kits, some folks also carry chains, ropes or tow straps for winching themselves or others out of snowberms or ditches along the road. However, Orth said people should exercise caution when lending a hand to others.

"Tow straps work better than the other options, and lending a hand to someone in an emergency is the Alaskan way, but people should understand they are taking liability into their hands, so they should ask the person stuck to hook up the tow device, and be very careful with the procedure," he said.

As to how many winter-prepared motorists Orth encounters in his line of work, he said not as many as he should.

"In general, the majority of people don't carry a kit, but we always seem to run into the people that do helping out at the scene. But, at 20 below, everyone should be able to protect themselves in an accident," he said.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.