Ah, winter.
To some it's the best time of the year as they bundle up in every layer they can possibly put on their body, watch in wonder as the snow falls, and as every major holiday comes about. To others, however, it is a wintry hell that they long to escape from as the hands of Jack Frost strangle them more and more each day.
Whichever way you look at your situation there are some ways that you have to prepare for during the winter months. Coming from Michigan, I find myself quite used to the snow but even I can fall victim to winter's tricks and deceit.
Some of these things you actually need to do during the winter months to withstand the cold and other are just ways to be a decent human being. We're all trying to survive especially this winter where temperatures have been in the negatives and inches upon inches of snow have accumulated in some areas.
Here are 11 things you probably shouldn't do during the winter months.
1. Wear Shoes With Holes In Them
Okay so this one should be blatantly obvious, but I can't tell you how many times I've walked out the house with holes in my shoes. This goes for improper footwear as well: it's probably a bad idea to walk out with flip flops or sandals on.
2. Forget Gloves Or Mittens
When the temperatures reach the negatives, mittens or gloves are a must have. Driving to work or school in the morning are never fun when you can barely feel your fingers.
3. Shovel Your Snow In The Street
The roads are already slick enough without adding to it. My neighbor shovels his snow in the street all of the time and it is one of my biggest pet peeves. So please, if you can avoid it, don't shovel your snow into the street.
4. Take Corners Too Fast
This is never fun and it is one of the most heart stopping moments when you realize that your car is skidding in the snow with no stop in sight. Remember to take it slow and obey all traffic symbols when driving.
5. Go Down Roads Too Fast
You can expect for everyone to go slow on the road when it's snowing or low visibility. Usually the slow move in traffic during the winter is for good reasons. It can get frustrating, yes, but before you go speeding down the high way while others around you are moving at snail's pace, ask yourself is it really worth it to speed when you can potentially spin out and cause an accident?
6. Leave Your Instrument In The Car
Now this is just a band thing, but playing an instrument that has been sitting in the car in the negatives is no fun. It can also be damaging to the instrument. If you ever bring your instrument somewhere but aren't using it, try to bring it inside for an hour or two even its big. It can prevent damage and be easier to play it.
7. Forget Hand Warmers For those Outside Events
I went to an event called Holiday Nights at a local historic site and it was mostly held outside. The night I went with my family it got down to the single digits in terms of temperature. Thought there were fires spread throughout the site, my hand warmers and foot warmers provided me with some much needed extra warmth and prevented my toes from turning to icicles too fast. So when you're going Up North for that skiing trip or going ice skating, remember to put hand warmers on the list of things you have to bring.
8. Go Outside With Wet Hair
Usually I let my hair dry by itself, but ever sine it's gotten really cold I have made sure to dry my hair with a hair dryer before I go out. If you can avoid it try not to go outside with sopping wet hair or at least let it dry a little bit before you go out.
9. Forget A Coat
Sure it's a lot easier to not wear a coat to not cause a pile up of coats in the break room at work, but you need that warmth when you're driving. No one wants to get sick because they're not wearing a coat.
10. Leave Your Dog Outside For Too Long
Some dogs love the cold and others don't. During these winter months, don't forget about your furry friends and don't leave them outside for too long.
11. Stay Outside For Too Long
If you can avoid it, stay inside when you have a snow day or when it gets in the negatives. Staying outside for too long can get dangerous if you don't have a proper heating source.
