We have an understandable tendency to ignore people, who warn us about possible changes that may have a negative impact on our lives, when they seldom do. On the other hand, BBC weatherman, Michael Fish, is reported famously to have downplayed The Great Storm of 1987, which had a catastrophic effect on many people’s lives.

Every year, for the past few, it has been forecast that severe weather conditions lay ahead, although only a gentle fluttering of snow and some frosty mornings have occurred. Yet, we must not rely on ‘global warming’ to keep the worst conditions at bay. Preparation is the key and carrying out a cost-effective Winter Service at your local garage might be a life-saver.

It is vital to see and be seen, so the wiper-blades and all lights would be checked thoroughly. Lower temperatures place strain on your vehicle’s electrical system, so the fan-belt, alternator and battery condition would all be tested to ensure their efficiency. Naturally, maintaining good traction on slippery surfaces is vital, so the tyres should be checked thoroughly, including their tread depth and tyre pressures. Frozen fluids will side-line your vehicle, so the coolant, windscreen washer bottle, brake, clutch and power steering levels should be checked and topped-up where necessary.

You can book-in your car on-line at most garages, either from home, the office, or via your mobile telephone, whether an ‘app’ exists, or not.

However, there are some additional things that you might like to contemplate, especially if you have planned longer cross-country trips to outlying areas, to visit friends and relatives over the festive period:

• Create a ‘Winter Travel Pack’
• Carry a First Aid Kit
• Place a warm blanket on the car’s back seat
• Have a de-icer spray and ice-scraper to hand
• Place a pair of warm gloves in the driver’s door pocket.

My personal ‘survival kit’ includes a compact battery booster for my mobile-phone, because being stranded without a fully-charged means of communication can be most disquieting. I also keep a large bar of Dairy Milk chocolate in the glovebox, because sustenance, should I be awaiting the arrival of a called-out roadside service, is vital.

I am less concerned about skids in adverse weather conditions, because I fitted my car’s winter tyres in early-November (they will be swapped back to the summer tyres in early-March, at my local dealership), but I also tuck a plastic snow-shovel in the boot, just in case I need to dig out the car.