A cell phone is a good tool to have for winter weather travel, but the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management and National Weather Service is warning that isn't enough.

The state's winter weather preparedness campaign runs this week, and the agencies say now is the time to put together a complete winter car survival kit.

"People think a cell phone is all you need to travel safely during winter weather," Kristi Turman, director of the Office of Emergency Management, said. "It's a good idea to have one, but a cell phone won't keep you warm, visible, and alive. A kit can."

A basic kit should include blankets, water, nonperishable foods, a flashlight with fully charged batteries, a distress flag and a shovel. Extra outerwear and sleeping bags are helpful if you have to stay in your car overnight.

Last winter, there were more than 1,000 weather-related crashes in South Dakota. More than 200 of those resulted in an injury.

"Every winter, someone gets stranded along the road," Turman said. "The traveling tips can help you avoid getting stranded. The kit, in the least, will help you be more comfortable if you do get stranded."

When you must travel:

- Keep an eye on the weather and check conditions before hitting the road.

- Be prepared to change or postpone travel plans as weather conditions warrant.

- Call 511 or go to SafeTravelUSA.com for road conditions.

- Wear your seat belt.

- Travel during the day.

- Use highly traveled roads and highways.

- Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and path.

- Keep your fuel tank as full as possible to avoid ice in the tank and lines.

Additional information on preparing for severe winter weather is available from your county emergency management office, the South Dakota "bReady" Web site at www.breadysd.com and the Rapid City National Weather Service web site weather.gov/RapidCity.