TIPS to Stay Warm and Safe

 I swear most of the U.S. has found that they were teleported over night to Alaska or the Artic!!!!  LOL  That is sure how it seems.  We got very comfortable having a decent winter season and BOOM, Mother Nature decided to show us a thing or two.  It aint over till it's over.

There are many simple things that we can do to stay warm and safe when it gets so iffy out.  Simple things that just make sense and that we often forget about.

• Always have ice melt on hand to use for slick walks and steps
• Carry some cat litter or sand in your vehicle - it sure helps it you get stuck!  Also have a small shovel with you
• Turn on ceiling fans (in a clockwise motion) to push warm heat down into the room (remember heat rises)
• Wear layers when doing jobs outside instead of one super heavy item.  Many jobs cause the body to sweat - and on a super cold day this is dangerous (can cause hypothermia).  With layers you can remove excess items
• Always use lotion on your hands and face.  The get chapped, frosted, and wind burned easily - lotion is essential.  Lotion for your FEET as well - for some reason they dey out so easily in winter
• Make sure you use lip balm  (or equivalent) on your lips.  They chap and hurt - tender skin.
• Wear sunglasses when outside in the snow - soooooo important for your eyes!!!!!!!
• Make or buy door buddies for the bottom of your door if there are any gaps or cold air coming in.  You can make a tubular form with material or a towel and fill with rolled newspapers or magazines or even sand or even pool noodles.  Tie off ends with yarn or rubber bands.  They sure do stop drafts.
• If you have any gaps along the door jambs - tuck some paper in those areas to prevent air from coming in until you can replace the seal.
• Make SURE your furnace and dryer vents are free and CLEAR of snow piles.  This could be deadly.  My furnace now vents out the side of the foundation (not chimney) - if blocked it would put carbon monoxide back into the house.  This is so IMPORTANT
• Wear a hat or cap - heat flows from the top of your head
• If you drive just short distances and in the city - you are usually close to help - but still keep an extra pair of heavy socks, gloves and a hat in your car.  If yours get wet - you will need to change.  If you live out - keep those things and blankets in the car as well as snacks.  Maybe a flair.  Shovel.  Cat litter or sand.  You can use snow for water.  If you get stuck and are running the car to stay warm while waiting for help - make sure your exhaust is clear of snow!!!!!!  Life saving
• Open curtains on sunny days to allow suns warmth to help heat your home
• If you have a cell phone - keep it charged and on you - even if just working outside.  You may need it in an emergency to get help
• If your water pipes freeze - you can melt snow to drink.  Boil 3 minutes to make sure it is safe.  Also open cabinet doors to allow room heat to enter around pipes.  Think about insulating your pipes if the are in a vulnerable area for freezing.  You can get pipe wrap or even think about using pool noodles cut to fit your pipes
• They don't recommend using your oven for heat source - but after baking, prop open your oven door and release excess heat into your rooms.
• Keep your gas tank topped off.  Good idea to use a bottle of HEAT in your tank - to prevent any moisture that may be in there from freezing
• Think about having a generator!!!!!!!  This will at least enable you to have some electric heaters during a power outage.  
• I keep all blankets - don't get rid of any.  If I don't need them - they come in handy for animals - even neighbors in need

Best advice is STAY HOME, STAY IN, and stay warm.

I know there is always something that needs done - but for those who prepare for such things, we can stay off the roads and survive with what we have for a short/long while.  

You know the cold and snow won't last long - just  stay safe.  Use what you have.

We have had some historic weather in areas of the country this year - so please be patient and kind, and try to help one another.

Just remember - this too shall pass.

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Hey gang, say a little prayer for our reader, Frances in my Corner of the Trailer Park - she was chipping ice yesterday and fell and broke her right wrist.  She has surgery on the 26th.  

Hoping her pain isn't too bad until she can be fixed!  HUGS