Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I was not compensated for writing this, but I did receive a pair of Rhea booties. All opinions are solely (see what I did there?) my own.
The first big snowfall of the season is coming. It’s supposed to snow a few inches here outside Chicago, which means that winter will definitely not be bypassing us this year. It’s time to prepare for colder weather, and here’s my winter survival guide with tips for making the colder months safe and happy.
Get the right footwear to be both safe and stylish.
A friend broke her elbow last winter when she slipped and fell on a patch of ice. And she’s definitely not alone, as falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits. In fact, they’re the leading cause of visits. Given that I’m quite clumsy, that make me very nervous.
Here’s the good news: you do not need to spend the winter in moon boots. Really. You can both remind upright and be stylish with Rhea footwear. They have booties and flats made with Neverslip Technology. They’re cute, don’t you think?
They sent me a pair to try out and I have to say that I like them a great deal. I wore them out in the rain and on a night that was a bit icy, and didn’t slip once. With today’s snow, I headed out for a quick walk and felt good and steady.
The black booties worked well pretty much every outfit, and I would have thought they were great as regular booties. The neverslip technology is an added bonus.
Be aware that they may squeak a little on dry surfaces the first few times you wear them. It wasn’t an issue for me but a few people may have noticed when I was at the car dealership getting my car checked out, which brings me to the next step.
Make sure your car is in good shape.
Getting your car ready for winter is important for many reasons, safety top among them. Take it in to make sure that it’s running well and your fluids, including washer fluid if you use it to help defrost the windshield, are all topped off. Cold weather can also impact your battery, so make sure it’s in good shape. Also stock the car with ice scraper, small shovel, bag of kitty litter or sand (for traction if you get stuck), blanket, flashlight, snacks and anything else you may need should you get stuck, be it in snow or traffic.
Also, check your tires. If you live somewhere mountainous, consider snow tires. If you live where snow or even a bit of ice is likely, check your tire tread.
One easy way to do that is the penny test. Insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If all of Lincoln’s head is visible, your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires. I was close, and at 3/32 inch the recommendation is to replace the tires soon. At the dealership, they advised changing them now because more tread would be safer in the snow.
Admittedly, this one was a bit painful for my wallet this year, because new tires aren’t cheap, but they are cheaper than a fender bender. Also, I have the peace of mind that my car can handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way. My teen was more than a little surprised to learn how much tires cost, which led to a conversation about how owning a car means expenses well beyond the cost of the vehicle. Loop your kids in so that they’ll know what they need to do when they’re on their own.
Assemble a cold and flu kit.
Winter weather is fun until you feel under the weather. Get what you need to handle a cold or the flu. Stock up on Kleenex (preferably with lotion for when your nose is sore), favorite meds (for us it’s DayQuil and NyQuil), extra Vitamin C, and plenty of liquids. I like to keep a stash of ginger ale and Sprite in the basement so no one sees and drinks it.
Plan for Outside Time.
I’m a homebody and love hibernating, but even I can get cabin fever. As the old saying goes, “There is no bad weather, just bad clothing,” or something like that. Also, fresh air can do wonders, even if it is below freezing. Get the items you need to be outside in the winter. Whether it’s just for a walk or trying something new like snowshoeing or taking up a winter sport like skiing or skating, plan to be outdoors.
Please note that you may not have to purchase items, which can get pricey. For example, at the Morton Arboretum near Chicago, they rent snowshoes and cross country skis. Many skating rinks rent ice skates. You may be surprised, though, at how inexpensive ice skates can be, so if you see a fair amount of skating in the future, purchasing your own may be more cost effective.
Being active brings so many benefits, including improving your physical and mental health. In addition, having something you like to do in winter makes the colder months so much more enjoyable. Ask your kids what they enjoy most and if they’re older, ask them to plan a day out.
Prepare for a happy hibernation.
When the weather outside is frightful, you want to feel good about snuggling up at home and hibernating. It can help to have a secret stash of fun snacks, cocoa, and a baking mix or two. (The Ghiradelli brownie mix really is divine.)
Grab a board game that’s on sale around Christmas and but keep it for a fun treat in February. In addition, grab a book for each member of your family to stash away and pull out when the temperatures make it just too cold to go outside. You can find some great games here.
This post contains affiliate links.
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Prior Post: Review of Stowe Mountain Lodge
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