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Hi friends who are facing cold weather and not used to it. Here are some tips from someone where teens and 20s for temperatures are normal and expected.
1. If you're not used to temps this low, they feel REALLY COLD. This is normal and expected.
2. Your heat is going to kick on a lot more than you're used to. Also normal, but also will make your heating bills go up.
2. Your heat is going to kick on a lot more than you're used to. Also normal, but also will make your heating bills go up.
3. Your house might still feel chilly even with the heat on.
4. On sunny days, chase the sun - open the curtains and shades on the windows that have the sun streaming in them to benefit from passive solar gain. It's February, the sun is high enough to make a serious difference.
4. On sunny days, chase the sun - open the curtains and shades on the windows that have the sun streaming in them to benefit from passive solar gain. It's February, the sun is high enough to make a serious difference.
5. Close the shades and curtains over the windows without sun in them, and close all the shades and curtains at night. It helps keep the heat in. Even if all you have is sheer curtains, close them. It helps!
6. Make sure your windows are closed and LOCKED.
6. Make sure your windows are closed and LOCKED.
7. Your car should still start (if it doesn't, the battery might be on its way out).
8. Don't drive on ice or in an ice storm.
9. Don't drive in snow. Especially if you aren't used to it. I grew up driving in snow and I don't drive in it here unless it is 100% unavoidable.
8. Don't drive on ice or in an ice storm.
9. Don't drive in snow. Especially if you aren't used to it. I grew up driving in snow and I don't drive in it here unless it is 100% unavoidable.
10. For clothes, layers are your best friends. Basics, start with a thin layer under a thicker layer, so a t-shirt under a sweatshirt (or that sweater your grandma gave you that you never wear otherwise.) Thin leggings under jeans or sweats. Even thick tights under jeans.
10 continued. For feet, if you have or can get wool socks, go for it. They keep you warm and wick sweat. If you don't, wear cotton socks over your tights and THEN put on your shoes. Slippers inside the house.
11. If you ski, break out your ski kit.
12. If you don't, find your heaviest, warmest jacket. Fleece keeps you warm, especially with layers under it.
13. Don't go out unless you gotta.
12. If you don't, find your heaviest, warmest jacket. Fleece keeps you warm, especially with layers under it.
13. Don't go out unless you gotta.
14. If you have to go out, cover your exposed skin and cover your head. Wear a hat. Wear gloves. Wear thin gloves under a pair of mittens if you can, or thin gloves under a pair of thicker gloves. Even the cheapie dollar store one-size-fits-all knit gloves are a layer!
14 continued. Wear a scarf over your mask. If you don't have a hat, you can use the scarf as a wrap over your ears and the top of your head, then secure it over your face.
No winter scarf? Got a pashmina or a silk scarf? Use that.
No winter scarf? Got a pashmina or a silk scarf? Use that.
15. Who gives a shit what you look like, it's cold and you are staying warm. New Englanders don't have dress coats, they have a single winter coat they wear everywhere.
16. DO NOT USE YOUR STOVE OR OVEN FOR HEAT, that's how people die of fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
17. Go ahead a cook soups, stews, bread, cake, whatever hearty warm food you desire and can do. Just turn off the stove and oven when you're done.
17. Go ahead a cook soups, stews, bread, cake, whatever hearty warm food you desire and can do. Just turn off the stove and oven when you're done.
18. When you're in bed, wear pajamas and socks. Use your heaviest blanket. If you don't have a heavy blanket, LAYERS. Flat sheet + summer-weight blanket + another summer-weight + the afghan from the couch.
19. For babies, they can wear layers to bed too. A onesie and socks under a sleep & play, THEN in their swaddle or sleep sack.
If you have to go out with the baby, layers under their coat. Make sure they wear hats. Drape a blanket over the car seat before you walk out.
If you have to go out with the baby, layers under their coat. Make sure they wear hats. Drape a blanket over the car seat before you walk out.
20. You can start the car and run it a couple minutes to get the heat started before you put the baby or small kids in. Yeah it costs gas, it doesn't have to be all the way warm, but taking the edge of the chill out of the air helps.
Kids can have blankets in the car.
Kids can have blankets in the car.
21. STAY HYDRATED. Drink plenty of water, tea, milk, whatever. Your house will get dry and so will you.
22. Please follow the safety instructions for space heaters. Please.
22. Please follow the safety instructions for space heaters. Please.
23. Check in with your neighbors, especially older folks, disabled folks, folks with small kids. Especially if you are able-bodied, especially if you have cold-weather gear. Make sure they have what they need, make sure they know the safety tips.
24. If you can volunteer or toss a few bucks their way, help out the local on-the-ground organization that helps unhoused folks. (E.g., @MAAPMass up here.)
25. Please share these tips. You can just say "oh my friend from Massachusetts" or whatever, my goal here is to help you survive this.
26. I am also happy to answer questions or brainstorm options for you.
26. I am also happy to answer questions or brainstorm options for you.
27. OH YEAH especially if the pipes run through an exterior wall, open your faucets just enough that they drip. It helps keep the pipes from freezing.
Also the water your p-traps under your drains can freeze if it is cold enough and they are in unheated space.
Also the water your p-traps under your drains can freeze if it is cold enough and they are in unheated space.
27.Continued. Open the cabinet under the sink to let warmer air in there too
Also read this, it has additional tips and how to deal if your pipes freeze: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/tips-winter-prepping-your-home-to-prevent-frozen-pipes/ar-BB1dyr8F
Also read this, it has additional tips and how to deal if your pipes freeze: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/tips-winter-prepping-your-home-to-prevent-frozen-pipes/ar-BB1dyr8F
28. If you garden, break out the burlap and row covers, and bring in any potted plants.
Going back to 27, here is a more comprehensive article about preventing and thawing frozen pipes. Don't forget about the outdoor spigots! Turn off their supply and drain them! https://www.thespruce.com/preventing-and-thawing-frozen-water-pipe-1824905
People have also been sharing tips in replies, so please check those out!
If you have to walk on ice, this has a diagram and instructions for how to minimize slips and falls. WALK LIKE A PENGUIN. https://www.today.com/health/stay-safe-ice-walk-penguin-2d12108872
30. [Food] you might feel extra hungry while it is cold out. This is normal! Your body has to use lots of extra energy to keep you warm. Please make sure to eat.
Same for your kids. Same for your pets.
Same for your kids. Same for your pets.
