With temps dipping below -10 this week, here in West Michigan and other parts of the country, making the wind chill -20 or lower, we thought we’d offer some helpful hints on how survive the extreme cold!
- Wear mittens! They’re better for your fingers than gloves
- Wear multiple layers of dry clothing. If you get wet head inside immediately to change!
- Check your car battery. If it’s over 3 years old get a new one. Cars don’t like to start in the extreme cold!
- Turn down your thermostat! We’re talking 68 degrees or so, not too low! By turning your indoor temp down can help prevent mass power outages.
- Never ever, ever, ever use your oven or a space heater to warm your home. If you can’t afford the heat, stay at a friend’s place, with a family member or at a local shelter.
- To prevent pipes from freezing let the water drip out of each faucet. Open the cabinet doors to allow warmer air to flow to the pipes under the sink.
- Don’t send your children out in the snow to play! Below zero temps bring frostbite. As anxious as you may be to send the kids back to school, keep ’em inside!
Do you have a pet? Cat or dog, make sure they stay outside for minimal amounts of time!
- Wipe your pets paws and stomach off as soon as they come inside.
- Not a fan of sweaters or coats for your dog? Think twice; it could prevent them from the elements outside.
- If your pet must be outside, increase his or her food intake, especially protein.
- Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep. If you have an outdoor dog please consider bringing them inside! You don’t want to find a pupsicle come morning.
- Find a cozy, warm place for Fido to sleep. Animals get cold too!
Looking for a *cool* (pun intened) idea for the kids while stuck inside?
Bring in some snow from outside and put it in your bathtub for your kids to play in. Warmer temps inside AND it will melt away and go down the drain! Win, win!
Stay warm and safe, everyone!
