MILWAUKEE, Wis. — According to a November 2012 consumer survey by Consumer Reports, nearly 193 million adults were to participate in the holiday shopping this year. In some areas of the country, winter shopping means weathering the snow, ice and sleet on sidewalks, streets and parking lots to get to the stores.

“Each year across the U.S. and Canada, major winter storms wreak havoc on the shopping plans of people preparing for the holidays,” said Martin B. Tirado, CAE, executive director, Snow & Ice Management Association. “Without vigilance, holiday shoppers run the risk of damaging their cars or trucks, or worse, risking injury to themselves or their loved ones.”