If you live in a very cold climate, what unusual measures do you have to take in the winter?

Question

(like using a block heater to start your car)

Answer 1

My son lives in Alaska and tells me their are no less than 7 heaters in his car. Brand new cars come equipped with them. Oil heater, water heater, transmission fluid heater, rear end differential heater, and god knows what else! He also tells me in the winter there is no wind but the temperature sometime drops to 150 degrees below zero. He also says when you go to the store in the winter the parking spots have electrical outlets because if you dont plug your car in under these conditions it will be frozen in 15 minutes. Sounds like a fun place to visit but I wouldnt want to live there.

Answer 2

Things to think about when it snows:
Is the snow shovel in good condition? They wear out quickly, so perhaps it's time to get a new one.

Block heater for the car, also ice scraper which is not pitted. (You want a nice straight edge, so that it cleans better.)

Boots. Overboots are great for work, but better yet get a pair of those moon boots to wear and carry your good shoes in a shoulder bag.

Heavy coat: Down, or poly fill, make sure it's warm warm warm.
Hat: If your coat doesn't have a built in lined hood, you'll need a hat - WHICH covers the ears.
Muffler for covering your face when the wind blows.
Gloves: Mittens are best if you have problems with cold hands, but you want them to be pliable so you can handle the ice scraper, your keys and even the tire chains.

Snow tires: Does your state allow studs? If not, you got to get a good set of tire chains. Make sure the chains are easy to put on AND take off. For those slick spots, a bag of sand in the bag helps traction. (No, not kitty litter. Kitty litter turns slick as snot when it gets wet!)
A blanket in the back of the car is also good.
Watch your driving. Just becuase the car is moving doesn't mean it's not a BIT*H when you go to stop. Even 4 wheel drive vehicles only have FOUR tires touching the road when it's slick. Slow starts, and looooon slow stops.

Check all the windows of the house for drafts. Consider putting a sheet of polyfilm on the inside of the windows for added insulation. Get warm socks for walking around the house, but if you have linoleum or hard wood floors, you'll want something with traction.

Sweaters. Lots of warm sweaters which are comfy and sized to pull on over whatever you're wearing.

Ya like to ski? Time to get the ski's checked out and the slopes will start with the snow reports.

Answer 3

Tire pressure; in really cold weather tire pressure will drop significantly combine that with the fact that tires lose a lot of their flexibility and you have a situation where you hit an unseen pothole and blow a tire off the rim. Changing a tire in zero temps is no fun.
Straight weight oils
A case of gas line anti freeze in the trunk
Own at least one car with a carburetor - and install a manual choke on it
Fuel injected engines are nice but carburetors offer more starting options
I also keep a -20 down bag in the trunk along with high energy foods

Answer 4

I live in Indiana, and though it's not an UNUSUAL measure, I can't wait until it gets really bitter cold outside. That's when my favorite girl and I bundle up in a big, warm, cozy comforter and sip hot cocoa while we sit by a roaring fire in the fireplace. It might not be UNUSUAL, but there's no better way to spend a cold winter's night! -RKO-

Answer 5

The towns folk need to take an estimate of how many people might die over the coming winter and dig graves for them in the early fall, otherwise the ground will be too hard to dig when the time comes.

Answer 6

>keeping your car plugged in overnight or when it's parked for a long time.
>bulldozers have to plough all the streets in the city, then sanding trucks have to throw sand on all the streets in the city so cars don't slide on the ice.
>dress very very warmly to avoid frostbite. (sometimes can occur in minutes)
>have the funrace blasting hot air. therefore, your skin gets very dry. lots of moisturizer required!
>deal with the dark setting in at 4:30 pm
>if you don't live in a cold climate, don't move to one!

Answer 7

the fashion to respond to it truly is to say that the in easy words difficulty I surely have uncovered are my eyes and that i placed on eyeglasses. I hate chilly climate. even as outdoors i'm able to't ever look to have on sufficient to get warmth. even as i'm moving into from the chilly I take off one of those vast quantity of things my daughter says i could open a wintry climate clothing keep and continuously have products in inventory.

Answer 8

When I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, we had to keep our trash cans in a locked shed during summer and winter to prevent local wildlife from dumping the cans. We had to wear gloves to pump gas in the winter or our hands would stick to the pump handle.

Answer 9

Wearing 3 layers of clothes, Boots, hats, gloves, extra socks, snow pants, when you go outside to play. Work on balance cause you know you're going to step on ice. Driving is totally different on ice and snow. you have to figure you tires will spin a lot and your car will steer and stop a lot slower. You have to be prepared wherever you go cause it is cold and you wouldn't want to freeze.

Answer 10

- keeping blankets/down sleeping bags in your car
- always having a cellphone
- informing friends and coworkers of destinations before traveling
- traveling with a buddy...not alone
- a fireplace (or other alternate heating) for your home if utilities fail
- having a snowmobile (alternate transpo)
- knowing which clothing is warmest...like cotton versus wool versus synthetics..etc