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Winter Tips

© Peggy Hoehne

Winter calls for different types of knowledge than summer does. If we are prepared for anything winter can throw at us we will be among the survivors. In recent years we have been experiencing some erratic weather. South Texas had snow just before Christmas but the upper Midwest was still brown. Right now there is an ice/heavy snow storm making its way across the country closing schools and businesses, knocking out electricity in large areas, and causing traffic emergencies. No matter where you live, there are some precautions you should take and things you should know.

A very simple idea I came across recently is for icy doorsteps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. ( I haven't had a chance to try this yet, so I would suggest testing it in a small area first.)

Another tip that is so simple, but can save a great deal of energy is to use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly in cold weather. In just one hour, these fans can blow away a household of warm air.

When temperatures drop to freezing and below, if you aren't completely sure your house and pipes are insulated well enough, here are some things that can help:

Open cupboard doors under sinks, especially where plumbing is in outside walls, to let interior heat warm the pipes.
Allow faucets to drip slightly to avoid freezing. This keeps water moving, making it less likely to freeze.

Winter Go Bag

2004 saw disasters strike around the world with little or no warning. Everyone should have a "Go Bag". You will need additional items in it during winter weather. New York City gives a list of the things to have in your Go Bag. See their site for a more detailed list. Briefly, pack the items you will most need if you must evacuate your home with no warning. Keep these items in a sturdy bag that you can grab on an instant's notice. You will want:
Copies of important documents
Extra set of car and house keys
Credit cards, ATM cards, and cash in small denominations
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Flashlight, battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
Medication for at least one week and other essential personal items
First-aid kit
Sturdy, comfortable shoes, lightweight raingear and a Mylar blanket
Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map
Child care supplies or other special care items

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