Blog Layout

5 Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

January 6, 2021

Illinois weather this weekend will be cold. Stay safe, and stay warm.

Weathermen have all sorts of expressions to explain fairly simple things. If you live in northern Illinois, you know all about weathermen. You also know all about fairly simple things – like the kind of cold, exacerbated by wind chill, that can make you feel as though someone is trying to cut right through you. And that they just might succeed.


The weatherman’s expression in this case is “polar vortex.” We don’t know anyone who feels better because it’s been explained to them that the vicious, inhuman cold that has descended on this part of the country is caused by a polar vortex. Who cares what caused it? It’s coming, and this weekend it’s going to be here. We don’t even want to think about what the rest of winter may be going to turn into; it’s enough to know that this weekend is going to be bad. It’s going to be very bad.


So let’s think about what to do about it. Here are five things that can help us all get through how this winter is shaping up to be without freezing solid.


1 Start with your feet. And your hands

When polar explorers and climbers in the Himalayas get frostbite, it isn’t their tonsils that drop off – it’s their fingers and their toes. If you’re venturing out this weekend, make sure you’re wearing the right kind of gloves, insulated against the cold, and that your feet are similarly protected. An extra pair of socks is a good idea, worn inside insulated shoes or, better, boots. The extra socks mean you need more space in the footwear, which may be a good reminder that air between layers insulates, so roomier boots are the way to go in any case.


2 Now wrap up the rest of you

Okay, you’ve seen to your hands and your feet – now make sure everything else is properly wrapped up. And we are back to layers, because putting on a T-shirt and then a shirt and then a sweater and then a jacket is much better against the cold than just pulling on the warmest ski jacket you can find. The same holds true for lower down, and don’t be precious about long underwear. It’s saved a lot of lives in its time. Don’t forget your head, either – the old idea that 80% of body heat goes out through the top of your head has been disproved, but you still need to keep it warm.


3 “Comfort food” is warm food

The kind of meal people mean when they talk about comfort food – stews, chilli, fish pie, rice pudding, chicken soup (ideally with barley) – that’s the kind of stuff you want inside you in weather like this. And an oatmeal breakfast will do you a lot more good than a bagel. Yes, we know all about those New Year resolutions and the determination to lose weight but, listen: this is simply the wrong time of year to make resolutions about eating less. If you lived in Australia, where New Year’s comes in August, well, fine. But you don’t. You live in a place that might as well be Alaska at this time of year.


4 Your pets need care, too

Just because your dog or cat is covered in thick fur, doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel the cold. It does. Make sure the cat can get inside, and don’t take the dog out for too long at any one time. 10 minutes is probably quite long enough to walk a dog this coming weekend. And when you get back in, just take a look at their paws and make sure there’s no ice trapped there.


5 Treat driving with respect

We’re not just talking here about having the right tires. If you’re going further than just round the corner, make sure you have everything in the car that you might need. Salt. A shovel. Emergency lighting. Blankets, and maybe a sleeping bag, just in case you find you’re spending longer in the car than you expected to.


And one more thing. When did you last have your furnace repaired, maintained, or tuned up? We’re not exaggerating what this weekend is going to be like. Have you listened to the forecasts? Do you understand what’s coming? If you have the slightest doubt about the fitness of your furnace to keep going, call us now. That kind of disaster is best avoided.


You might also like

HVAC Blog | Climate Control Services LLC

furnace repair

How much does furnace repair cost?

December 14, 2023
Learn what to do when your furnace begins to fail or stops working. If your furnace needs repair, turn to a local HVAC service provider with the right amount of experience. Read this furnace repair guide to learn more.
Difference between heat pump and air condition

What’s the difference between a heat pump and air conditioner?

December 6, 2023
At first glance, a heat pump and air conditioner appear nearly identical. However, one functions with greater versatility. Learn more about the differences in this post.
A Homeowner's Guide to Successful Home Maintenance Blog Post

A Homeowner's Guide to Successful Home Maintenance

May 18, 2022
No one said homeownership was easy. Along with fiscal stability and long-term security, owning your own home can come with other inconveniences and frustrations such as seasonal stressors, unexpected repairs, and various rehab projects. While homeownership can sometimes seem like a never ending string of responsibilities and menial tasks, the statistical data is very clear: The frustration is worth it. Homeownership has significant benefits that can build both emotional and financial wealth over the years. Over three decades of studies have shown that homeownership leads to higher test scores for children, improved mental health outcomes, and a more stable retirement for adults. In other words: Homeownership is worth the occasional frustration. When faced with the year-long series of home maintenance tasks, both expected and unexpected, it can become overwhelming for the average homeowner. However, with a tiny ounce of prevention, home maintenance and repair can become far less daunting. By tackling some basic home maintenance seasonally, you will add value to your home while circumventing costly crisis’s later down the road. Here are some quick, easy, and simple home seasonal maintenance tips and tricks that will save you time, money, and hours of frustration. Spring: Spring is known as a time of renewal and rejuvenation, and as the winter months subside, it becomes an outstanding time to clean up whatever issues the snow was hiding and prepare for the warmer days of summer ahead. Give Your Property the Once Over Once the snow has melted, do a walk-through of your property. Make note of any branches that might have fallen, shingles that need to be replaced, or damage that might have been sustained from shoveling or plowing. Get the Gunk Out of the Gutter Winter is notorious for overwhelming your gutters. By doing a quick sweep of your gutters, you will significantly reduce the risk of leaks or water damage throughout the entire year. Inspect the Sump Pump Spring can lead to lots of water, whether from melting snow or heavy rains. Do a quick test of your sump pump to ensure that if flooding occurs, you won’t be left under water. Summer: This is the season for outdoor projects. While the weather is warmer and there are fewer obstructions from fallen leaves or piling snow, there are several small tasks that can provide huge results the whole year long. Trim the Trees and Clip the Landscaping Believe it or not, one of the biggest risks to your home is the very thing that adds beauty to your property. Fallen, sick, or unruly branches or vegetation can cause major damage to your home. Cutting and removing damaged trees, branches, or bushes can help protect your home. GFCI Outlets Should Be Tested Much like smoke alarms that need to be tested yearly, GFCI outlets should also be inspected annually. GFCI outlets reduce the risk of fire or electrical catastrophe. Power Wash Your Property Mold, mildew, algae, and various other forms of rot can do massive damage to house and home. A quick power wash of your house, patio, and driveway can add years of life to your property. Fall: Fall is arguably the most crucial when it comes to preventative maintenance. Battening down the hatches for winter will lead to a more stress free holiday season and significantly reduce the risk of having to undertake major repairs during the colder months. Inspect and Tune Your HVAC System This is arguably the most important maintenance item on the entire list. Having an HVAC professional do a quick clean and inspection of the HVAC system can prevent massive expenses or downtime during the cold winter months. If faced with only completing one task on this list, every homeowner should make this item a priority. Safeguard the Pipes The damage inflicted by a burst pipe can result in thousands of dollars in damage. Add insulation to all interior exposed pipes and be sure to turn off the water to any exterior pipes. Consider a Chimney Sweep Chimney fires are nothing to be trifled with, and a quick inspection of your chimney and a sweep can prevent devastating fires. Winter: If everything goes to plan and all of the other seasonal maintenance tasks have been properly handled, winter is a time for logistics and quiet preparation, and far less physical tasks. Review Insurance Policies Sip on your hot chocolate and review your homeowners policies. Consider updates that need to be made, or review coverage that is outdated. Update Your Alarm System and Test the Smoke Detector Updating passwords and alerts can protect your home, while testing the smoke detector can save your life. Inspect Your Furnace Filter Give this a quick once over and see how it is holding up – chances are it needs replacing. Replacing your furnace filter increases efficiency, reduces costs, and keeps your family warm during the winter months. With these quick, easy, and simple tasks taken care of quarterly, homeownership can be a breeze – reducing costly repairs, maintaining property value, all while enjoying all of the wonderful benefits that owning your own home can provide to you and your family for years to come.
More Posts
Share by: