Cold weather tips to keep you, your car, and home warm

So far it has been the second warmest January on record. However things are about to go into a deep freeze for a while. Nevertheless, living in the Northland we definitely have experienced below freezing temperatures before. But let’s be honest, we all could use a reminder here and there to make sure we are keeping warm and safe.

First and foremost, your body. What to do to keep yourself warm:

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes the importance of dressing in layers to stay safe in cold weather. They suggest wearing at least three layers of loose-fitting clothes to provide ideal insulation
• A study published in the Journal of Emotion found that nostalgia truly evokes warm and fuzzy feelings. Recalling a nostalgic event actually gives you a greater tolerance for intense cold.

Second, how to keep your car in good condition during the bitter cold:

“Cold definitely affects batteries. So it’s always good to know the date of the battery or when the battery was installed. And if it’s a newer car, ask yourself, how old is the battery? Have it tested going into a cold snap,” says Mike Archer, owner of AutoMedics.

“Running the car when it’s cold…drive the car prior to parking on a cold evening will help because the batteries got some juice back in it,” finishes Archer.

Lastly, how can we keep our homes warm:

• According to EarthEasy.com stop heating an empty house. If nobody’s home, save money by not running anything.

• If you’re still adjusting your heat by hand and trying to remember to turn it down when you go out every day, install a programmable thermostat.

And to check out more tips on how to beat the cold, click here: Trick Yourself Into Feeling Warm: 9 Cold Weather Hacks | The Healthy