The first snowfall in Edmonton catches people off guard every year. The roads are dry on Friday, and by Monday morning the Henday is packed snow, and Whitemud is backed up for kilometres. Body shops and tow trucks are busy all week.

Most of those crashes are minor. Someone slides through a red light or taps a bumper in a mall parking lot. An hour or two of prep now can keep you out of a lot of them.

Winter tires go on first

Winter tires aren't mandatory in Alberta. All-season tires, though, harden in the cold and have very little grip on ice, which makes them a poor fit for an Edmonton winter. Good tires are probably the cheapest way to stay out of the ditch this season. Check the sidewall for the mountain-and-snowflake symbol.

If you haven’t switched yet, book your changeover now. After the first big snow, most tire shops are booked solid for a week or longer. It's also worth calling your insurer, since some Alberta insurers offer a discount on winter tires. Check your tire pressure once a month too, because it drops along with the temperature.

The battery and the small stuff

Batteries tend to die first. One that gave you no trouble in September can leave you stranded on the first -25°C morning. Most auto shops can test it in a few minutes while you wait.

After that, check:

●      washer fluid rated to -40

●      wipers that clear the windshield in one pass

●      the block heater cord, for cracks or exposed wire

●      headlights, brake lights and taillights

On the coldest nights, plug the car in. It will start more easily, and the defroster will clear the glass faster, so you're not squinting through a tiny scraped patch on the way to work. While you're at it, toss a snow brush, booster cables and a warm blanket in the trunk.

Adjust your driving

Plenty of winter crashes start with someone following too closely. Leave at least twice the gap you would in summer. Bridges, overpasses and on-ramps ice up before the rest of the road, so slow down before you reach them. Brake early and gently. If the back end starts to slide, look where you want to go and steer there.

Heading out on the highway? Check 511 Alberta before you leave.

Save two numbers in your phone now

Add your insurance company's claims line and the number of a tow company you trust. If you're ever standing on the side of the road after a crash, cold and rattled, you won't want to be scrolling through search results.

If you end up in the ditch, resist the urge to keep spinning the wheels. It usually digs the tires in deeper and is hard on the drivetrain. A recovery crew with a winch can pull the car out without adding to the damage.

And if the car can't be driven after a collision, don't try to nurse it home. If the wheels, steering or suspension took a hit, even in a small crash, a tow truck after an accident is the safer choice. In the city, Maverick Towing & Recovery handles light-duty accident towing in Edmonton around the clock.