Being prepared and planning ahead is the best way to enjoy winter in East Idaho. Freezing temperatures and endless snow are not for the faint of heart. Knowing how to make the most of it by dressing properly and preparing your home and car, makes it more bearable.
Winterizing your Car
No one wants to find themselves stranded on the side of the road in a blizzard, but unfortunately it can happen. A properly packed car can make all the difference in these situations. The best time to stock your car for winter emergencies is before the snow flies. Taking your vehicle into a local car shop to check your tire tread and brakes is an important part of being prepared. Make sure to always tell someone your driving route and destination before heading out. Keep your cell phone charged and check local driving conditions. Putting bags of sand in the back of your truck can help prevent fishtailing. Don’t let your gas tank get below a quarter of a tank. After you are sure that you are winter driving ready, having these necessary items packed in your car will help alleviate the worry of not being prepared for worst case scenarios:
- Blankets, gloves, socks, and hatsare
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight with extra batteries or hand crank
- First Aid Kit
- Bottled water and granola or protein bars
- Road flares
- Windshield cleaner
- A multi-tool
- Hand warmers
- For longer winter road trips; keep a small shovel, a bag of kitty litter or sand to use for traction, sleeping bags, tow strap, and boots in your vehicle.
Winterizing your Home
For most of us, our homes are our largest investments and we want to do all we can to take care of them. Taking extra precautions to make sure they are ready for freezing temperatures and being prepared for winter storms is just part of living in East Idaho.
Tips to Winterize the outside of your Home:
- Disconnect and drain all hoses. Store them in a shed or garage.
- In older homes, make sure your pipes are properly insulated.
- Winterize your sprinkler system.
- Clean your gutters of all debris.
- Store away all your outdoor furniture or make sure it is covered.
- Close any outdoor vents and caulk any cracks by doors and windows.
Tips to Winterize the Inside of your Home:
- Change your fans to moving counter clockwise so they direct heat downwards.
- Check for drafts from windows and doors, caulk or repair as needed.
- Check fire and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are in working order and change batteries as needed.
- Make sure you have plenty of blankets, flashlights or candles, drinking water, and an extra heat source in case of a power outage.
- Clean your fireplace, seal it if you won’t be using it, or make sure you have enough wood/coal to get through the winter.
- Change your furnace filter.
Winterizing Yourself
Winter tends to stick around longer than maybe of us want it to. Staying warm is only half of the battle when it comes to each of us surviving winter. For some of us; our emotional, mental, and physical health can struggle while the snow piles up and the sun doesn’t shine for a few days in a row. One thing that can help is to remember that you’re not alone, connect with others, and get out when you can.
Ways to Stay Warm Outdoors:
- Wear layers when headed out to enjoy winter activities.
- Invest in waterproof and warm gloves.
- Make sure to have proper footwear that has good traction and keeps your feet warm and dry.
- Keep some hand warmers in your car and purse.
- Eat often to keep your body fueled.
- Bring along your favorite warm drink.
- Wear a hat, scarf, and snow pants when outside for a long period of time.
Keeping your Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health in Check:
- Let someone know if you are really struggling and seek help from medical staff if needed.
- Connect with friends and family to avoid feeling isolated.
- Spend time doing hobbies and self-care.
- Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated.
- Invest in a good lotion to keep your hands and face from getting chapped.
- Buy a sun lamp online to help with anxiety and depression. (Read more about ways to handle emotional and mental health during the winter here or here.)
- Sit or walk outside when possible. (This is especially helpful on sunny days.)
- Embrace the snow and find an activity you can enjoy in it.