Tips for Getting Ready For Winter
When the winter weather blows, are you prepared? Winter season brings seasonal happiness, however, there are moments that winter storms challenge us. Winter storms can make the roads impassable, walkways hazardous, and power outages.
Now, it is time to assess whether your family is prepared for an emergency. Do not let the weather catch you unprepared. Your home and car need to be equipped to withstand the weather, too.
Check out the tips below, we guarantee you will be protected and well-insulated from the worst winter temperatures.
Tips for winter
To prepare your home for the winter is an annual ritual for all homeowners. The following winter maintenance tips can help you prepare your home to withstand another winter season. Run through this checklist to prepare your house for a winter storm.
- - Clean out the gutters, disconnect and drain the outside hoses. If possible, shut off the water valves.
- - Take the time to have a preventive maintenance of your heating system, it may extend the duration of the equipment or determine potential problems.
- - Have your furnace or boiler inspected and repaired by a licensed contractor, make this at least once a year, it is advisable to do this prior to the heating season.
- - Clean or replace the furnace filter on forced hot air systems.
- - Have your chimney inspected and repaired by a licensed contractor, make this at least once a year. Pay particular attention to the creosote buildup removed from chimneys servicing woodstoves and fireplaces.
- - Do not set your heat above 55 degrees as the temperature inside the walls where the water piping is located is colder than the living spaces; purposely leave the doors open of unoccupied rooms to maintain an even temperature throughout the house.
- - Inspect if your insulation is prepared to protect you from the cold breeze of winter.
- - Add an extra insulation in the attic to help protect against the ice dams. If too much heat escapes into the attic, it can warm the ice and snow on the roof. When the ice refreezes, it can cause an ice dam, which can lead to water damage in the house or a roof collapse.
- - Install storm windows, if appropriate. Install weather stripping on doors and caulk windows to guard against drafts and heat loss.
- - Check smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries to ensure that they are operating properly.
The first winter storm might come sooner than expected. Stock up early and get the preparations done beforehand.
Due to the severe winter weather, vehicle accidents are prominent. It is better to prepare your car for risky conditions and extremely cold temperatures. Here are some of the tips when the temperature starts to drop:
- - Do not drive if it is not necessary. If you have to drive, drive during daylight.
- - Do not travel alone, have someone by your side. Inform others of your whereabouts. Stay on the main road, do not use alternative routes.
- - Make sure that your car tires have enough tread. You can also swap for winter tires. These tires are recommended and can provide a better traction on cold pavement.
- - Check the tire pressure. Driving with an underinflated tire can cause a premature wear down and lose traction on the slippery pavement.
- - Add a protective layer, a coat of polymer wax can create a barrier against road salt, grime, snow, and sleet. Protect your windshield wipers, raise them when you are parking, to prevent them from freezing to the windshield.
- - Always keep an emergency kit in your trunk. The emergency kit should contain a cellphone charger, flashlight, gloves, foldable shovel, blanket, gloves, and a first aid kit.
Another important aspect in dealing with the cold winter is to dress for the weather. But how do you pull it off? Just because it is cold and freezing outside, it does not mean you do not have to go out. It is still possible to stay warm and enjoy the outdoors during the winter. Dress for the cold winter days, wrap yourself with layers with style.
Layering is all about pairing a different kind of clothes in combination to create a cozy, bundled-up, yet effortless yet very fashionable way. There is a reason why this style is on trend every winter season, it is the most practical method to dress against the cold weather. Try a merino wool on the base layer, it is comfortable, and mind you, it is not itchy! Use a fleece or lightweight down for your middle layer, and for the outer layer, have a waterproof and windproof outer layer. This outer shell helps the wind from seeping through.
Other than dressing in layers, there are other clothing that can provide warmth and insulation.
Wear a pair of insulated boots. The boot lining should be wool and synthetic. Match it with a winter sock, it can keep your feet warm and dry. Wool and fleece socks are the best.
Moreover, wear winter gloves. Fingers and hands are very vulnerable during the winter season. Here are some tips on how to choose the right gloves to prevent the risk of frostbite, or hypothermia.
Choose a winter glove that perfectly fits you. Adjust a little bit space between the end of the glove and your fingers. The small pocket of air traps the warmth around the fingertips. Pay attention to the webbing at the base of your fingers, if your fingers cannot easily move, the insulation is compressed. Thus, it cannot properly trap the warmth.
Choose a winter glove that is composed of multiple layers. There are gloves that are not appropriate for temperatures below negative 2 degrees Celsius. Winter gloves that are constructed with two layers have a knapped fleece inside the layers and a nylon on the outer layer, this kind of glove can handle a negative 5 degrees Celsius cold. Moreover, a winter glove that is constructed with three layers, has a middle layer and a nylon inner layer.
For personal preferences, I recommend the winter gloves constructed with four layers. Its outside layer is synthetic leather and waterproof membrane, meanwhile the inner layer has fleece insulation and nylon inner layer.
When working during a winter season, you easily get sweaty hands. You have to look for a winter glove that has the best moisture management. Cotton can absorb the sweat and moisture, thus choose a well-insulated yet cottony winter gloves. Did you know that our fingers are most susceptible part of the hands? They do because fingers do not have major muscles that can regulate heat. Thus, it gets cold quicker than the other parts of the hand.
When choosing the type of gloves, consider the type of work that you will do. Ask how physically demanding your work is, how important dexterity is, and the temperature of the weather. Find a winter glove that has a fully wrapped lining at the sides of the fingers, with no heat leakage points, that can give you full dexterity and comfortability.
After knowing the construction feature and materials of winter gloves to be able to discern which the perfect winter gloves is, let us know the types of winter gloves available in the market.
Fleece Gloves
- This kind of glove offers a superior warmth with its tightly knit synthetic fibers, the weight of the glove is equally proportional to the warmth that it gives off. However, the thickness of the gloves can affect the hand coordination and finger dexterity. This kind of glove is not waterproof and is not wind resistant, thus it is only best for light activities under the moderate cold environment.
Liner Gloves
- This kind of glove is knitted tight fittingly, but it is also stretchable. It can provide warmth and comfort for moderate and high-energy activities. Liner gloves are waterproof and wind resistant, unlike the fleece glove, it has the ability to be worn in a light weather or be paired with another glove for an extra insulation. It quickly dries off and prevents moisture.
Soft Shell Gloves
- This kind of glove is lightweight and waterproof, it can provide a sufficient amount of protection from water, wind, and snow. An exceptional warmth is provided by this glove, it can be used in low to moderate activity levels in cold environments and low temperatures.
Insulated Gloves
- This kind of glove is made to preserve heat inside the gloves, it is made with synthetic fibers. The outer layer of the insulated gloves is waterproof and breathable. It is popularly used in extreme winter conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wash my Scotty’s Gloves?
For synthetic leather gloves and cotton gloves :
Step 1: - We recommend to wash your gloves with a washing machine, use a cold water and a mild laundry detergent.
Step 2: - If you do not have a washing machine, we recommend to wash the synthetic leather gloves or cotton gloves in a sink. Use a mild laundry detergent or dishwashing soap.
Step 3: - Strictly do NOT use bleach or solvents as these oxidizing agents can cause discoloration of the gloves.
Step 4: - Air-dry your gloves to prevent any material shrinkage and maintain the proper sizing. Do NOT use a dryer machine with heat, or do not expose the gloves to a heat source other than indirect sunlight.
Nitrile gloves :
Step 1: - We recommend washing the nitrite gloves or PCV gloves in a sink. Use a mild laundry detergent or dishwashing soap.
Step 2: - Strictly do NOT use bleach or solvents as these oxidizing agents can cause discoloration of the gloves.
Step 3: - We recommend air-drying the nitrile gloves, this can prevent any material shrinkage and maintain proper sizing.
Step 4: - Do NOT use a dryer machine with heat, or do not expose the gloves to a heat source other than indirect sunlight.
Leather gloves :
Step 1: - We recommend washing the leather gloves periodically to remove salt and mineral build-up from perspiration.
Step 2: - Strictly do NOT use bleach or solvents as these oxidizing agents can cause discoloration of the gloves.
Step 3: - We recommend air-drying the nitrile gloves, this can prevent any material shrinkage and maintain proper sizing.
Step 4: - Do NOT use a dryer machine with heat, or do not expose the gloves to a heat source other than indirect sunlight.
Cowhide Leather or Goatskin Leather or Pigskin Gloves :
Step 1: - We recommend cleaning your leather gloves with oil-based saddle soap to remove the exterior stains and remove moisture. Use as little water as possible and let the soap do all the work. For deep cleaning, we suggest that you use a shoe brush for optimal cleaning.
Step 3: - We recommend air-drying the nitrile gloves, this can prevent any material shrinkage and maintain proper sizing.
Step 4: - Do NOT use a dryer machine with heat, or do not expose the gloves to a heat source other than indirect sunlight.
Winter Gloves :
Step 1: - We recommend to wash your gloves with a washing machine. Use a mild laundry detergent.
Step 3: - We recommend air-drying the nitrile gloves, this can prevent any material shrinkage and maintain proper sizing.
Step 4: - Do NOT use a dryer machine with heat, or do not expose the gloves to a heat source other than indirect sunlight.
What is the performance level of the Scotty's Gloves?
- The performance level of the Scotty's Gloves is designed to give the users an easy way of comparing the performance of different gloves in specific areas. This allows the users to make an informed decision on which glove to use for a specific task, these areas are for cut protection, abrasion resistance, and impact protection.