Time for cold weather tips
Brace yourselves, folks – it’s that magical time of the year when the weather decides to play hide-and-seek with its chilly surprises. It’s not cold yet, but you can bet your favorite fuzzy socks that the cold is lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on you like a surprise gray hair in the morning.
Staying warm with cold weather tips
Well, Old Man Winter’s just giving us a little frosty foreplay right now. It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, remember me? Well, I’m back, and this time I brought my chilly friends along for the ride.”
We know gas prices are in limbo, and Joe Biden says, “Look at me! I can make prices go down!” Who knew he had a secret DJ career? But, let’s face it, predicting the next six months is like trying to predict the ending of a soap opera – full of twists, turns, and questionable decisions.
So, we’re channeling our inner Boy Scouts because, let’s be honest, those guys know how to be prepared. We’re stockpiling hot cocoa, cozy blankets, and an emergency stash of cookies because no winter survival kit is complete without a sugar boost.
Now, for those brave souls in Toledo, OH, who are about to experience the “beautiful” lake-effect of Lake Erie – welcome to the icy party! We’re all in this together, shivering in unity. Our cold weather tips are not just a public service, they’re our survival guide too.
Here are our recommendations, brought to you by the frozen minds of Toledo’s newest residents – may the thermometers be ever in your favor!
15 cold weather tips
- Install storm windows correctly – Incorrectly installed storm windows or having no storm windows can let a lot of money go out the window (no pun intended)
- Install weather stripping – This is vinyl or rubber stripping installed around the tops of doors and windows with nails or staples. Though they don’t look pretty, they’ll do the trick until something more aesthetically pleasing can be installed during warmer weather.
- Install door sweeps – These are the rubber strips we often see at the bottom of doors. They help make the door flush to the floor and ensure money isn’t going out the door (pun intended).
- Stock up on hot chocolate – Nothing warms the heart and soul quite like a cup of hot chocolate on a crystal chilly day. Add Bailey’s if you want to feel warmer longer. We do!
- Add window shrink covering – This is like Shrinky Dinks for adults. Remember those? Place the specialized plastic sheets over your windows and shrink them to size with a blow dryer. The view and sun aren’t obstructed, but the cold is.
- Add shades and drapes -If you’re going for a modern or industrial look, this may not be an appealing idea. Of course, this could be a temporary solution. Either way, shades and drapes are an age-old solution for keeping out the cold in the winter and keeping in the cold in the summer.
- Use door snakes – To assist your recently installed door sweep or to use in place if you’re too lazy to install the door sweep, throw a snake or draft door stopper at the bottom of your door. Many of these are humorous. We used to have one that looked like a cow. We called her Lactaid.
- Cover pipes – If you have water pipes that are exposed to cold, wrap them with heating tape to protect them from freezing and bursting.
- Open cabinet doors – If you have water pipes between cabinet doors and exterior walls, open the cabinet door to allow heat around the pipes. This will reduce the risks of the pipes bursting.
- Put on Jason Mamoa – Nothing warms us like a few hours watching Jason Mamoa (or Lenny Kravitz – whoever strikes your fancy). Just turn them on and let the heat rise.
- Repair door and window leaks – It may be too late to do this correctly now. A temporary solution is to use caulking to fill any holes or leaks. When summer comes, have these repaired correctly.
- Wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket – This is a big blanket to wrap around your water heater. It’s a specialized big blanket, so don’t throw your favorite down comforter around it. Otherwise, you could run the risk of a fire. Water heater wraps can save 25% to 40% on energy bills.
- Insulate outlets – This is foam padding for around light switches and outlets. If you’re in an older house, it’s likely your outlets don’t have proper insulation. New homes don’t have as much of a problem, but it can’t hurt to check.
- Install attic and basement insulation – This step, too, may be too late, so add this to your “To Do” list for spring. Just like your head and feet, a lot of heat goes out the attic and basement of your home. Installing this magical pink stuff is like putting socks and a hat on your home.
- Install attic stair covers – This is an insulated lid or box to put over attic doors, particularly those in the ceiling.
- Dress appropriately – At the risk of sounding like Jimmy Carter, bundle up. Now is not the time to wear shorts and t-shirts at home. Dressing appropriately while in the home can save tons of money.
- Form a cuddle puddle – What’s better than your favorite man and favorite beasts? Turn your comfy couch or comfy bed into an even more comfy cuddle puddle with blankets, pillows and beasts.
5 hot (not pun intended) tips for staying warm
- Layer up like a fashion-conscious onion – If onions had a sense of style, they’d totally rock layers. So, channel your inner onion, pile on those sweaters, and strut your stuff. Bonus points for looking like a winter fashion icon.
- Hot beverages are your liquid armor – Coffee, tea, hot chocolate – consider them your warm elixirs to fight off the cold. Think of it as sipping defiance in the face of frosty adversity.
- Invest in fuzzy socks – the unsung heroes of winter: If warmth had a mascot, it would be a fuzzy sock. Seriously, slip into a pair of those fluff wonders, and you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them.
- Blanket forts are adult-approved – Who says blanket forts are just for kids? Embrace your inner child, build a fort, and hibernate until spring. It’s the grown-up version of running away from winter responsibilities.
- Dance like nobody’s watching (because they’re all inside staying warm) – Generate some internal heat by busting out your most embarrassing dance moves. The cold won’t stand a chance against your groovy warmth.
So, there you have it – a survival guide for the impending frostbite flirtation. Stay warm, stay goofy, and may the winter winds be ever in your favor!
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