According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an average of 43 people are killed and more than 4,100 are injured each year in crashes on icy or snow-covered roads.

Rock County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Director Sergeant Shena Kohler says last week was Winter Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin.

Kohler says citizens should also check the emergency kits in their homes and vehicles to make sure items are still in working order and appropriate for winter weather.

Kohler says it’s also the perfect time to make sure there are fresh batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and that there is a NOAA Weather Radio in the home.