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Wintertime can be both fun and dangerous. This ultimate winter guide aims to help you enjoy most of the season safely wherever you are. It dishes out top product recommendations you will find useful, especially when the frost begins to bite.
Skim through these best tips for winter so you can relieve yourself from worrying while making sure you stay comfy, stylish, and trendy throughout the cold season. Dressing up yourself or your home for the season need not be a melancholy chore.
Ultimate Winter Guide: Must-Do Before the Frosty Season
Preparation is key when you want to make sure you’ll be spending a safe and cozy wintertime. You have to prepare not just yourself and your loved ones but also your possessions. It is also ideal to always prepare for the worst or the possible scenarios that could happen once the frost starts creeping in. These include cold temperatures day and night, winter storms, power outages, and other hazards synonymous with the season.
Here are some of the best tips for winter when it comes to preparation:
Winterize Your Property, Most Especially Your House
Besides outdoor or travel ventures you may want to engage in during the winter, most of your time will be spent at home. This is the reason why you have to take the necessary steps to ensure that your house will stay warm even when it’s heavily snowing outside.
We highly recommend doing these in preparation for the winter season:
Clean your heating system or have it checked by a professional. It should be ventilated to the outside and must be working properly.
Check your roof and replace damaged ones that might not withstand the surge of snow. Repair any leaks and make sure that the gutters are free of any debris.
Ensure that all the water lines installed along the walls outside are insulated. Check the other areas in your house that need insulation, and remember to install storm windows and weather stripping.
Look for alternatives you can use when fuel runs out, and look for as many possible safe heating sources.
Replace the batteries of your smoke detector and test if it’s working fine. For those whose house doesn’t have one installed, get one and put it up.
Your house must also be safe from emergencies arising from carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas is colorless and odorless but can be very deadly when inhaled in huge quantities. It is ideal to buy and install a carbon monoxide detector inside your home. You must also be alert of its symptoms which include confusion, chest pain, vomiting, stomach pains, weakness, dizziness, and headaches.
Buy All the Necessary Stuff and Equipment
An ultimate winter guide will never be complete without giving a reminder about the things you’ll need come wintertime. You have to anticipate that it will be hard to go outside to buy your needs, so make sure you have them beforehand. Here are some helpful tips to consider:
Have extra batteries on hand. You will need them for the tools necessary during the cold months such as lamps, radios, and flashlights.
Complete the items inside your emergency kit, including medicines and first-aid devices.
If you have planned vacations or quick trips, check the weather forecast in the area ahead of time.
Store drinking water in clean containers. You must also stock on food items such as canned goods, biscuits, and others that don’t require refrigeration or cooking.
Charge all the rechargeable devices in your house including your cell phone and power banks.
Plan ahead what you will do whenever there are power outages, especially if they would last for several days.
Keep sand handy as you can use it on icy and slippery walkways.
If you have babies and kids, check that they have all they need during the cold months.
Check if your house is safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have a generator, put it outside at least 20 feet away from your dwelling. You must also keep generators, camp stoves, and grills outdoors, away from the garage and basement.
Check Your Vehicle and Make Sure that it is Ready for the Cold Season
You need to anticipate not only the cold weather but also the slippery road when preparing your vehicle. This is a must-do ultimate winter guide to ensure that you will be able to use the vehicle with minimal problems once the winter season comes in.
Avoid having ice in the car’s fuel lines and tank by keeping the gas tank full.
Replace tires with snow or all-weather tires or check the tire treads to make sure that they are up for the weather ahead.
Keep an anti-freeze level on the vehicle’s radiator.
Use a formula suitable for wintertime in the car’s windshield washer.
Anticipate the times when you might get stuck in the vehicle for long hours, so equip it with things to help you survive such an ordeal. Keep maps and compass in the car, as well as extra batteries, radio, and a flashlight.
Have a phone in the car you can use during emergencies as well as extra batteries and a portable charger. You never know what’s going to happen, so it is best to have water and snacks packed which you can easily slip inside the vehicle each time you’ll use it. You will also need a blanket, plastic bags, and a first-aid kit.
In your toolbox, keep a bag of sand you will use for traction, tire pump, flares, and booster cables.
Take the Necessary caution when Planning to Travel During the Cold Season
Wintertime may be limiting when it comes to where you can go and what you can do, but you can have fun times as long as you come prepared by following this ultimate winter guide.
Check the news, sites, and other resources to be aware of the weather forecast in the place where you intend to go several days before your travel date.
Remember how to protect yourself and get help when stranded in a car. Keep yourself warm from head to foot. Move your arms and legs often to get the blood circulation going. If your engine is running, turn the inside overhead lights on to make it easier for rescuers to spot the vehicle. You can also tie neon-colored cloth anywhere visible.
Make it a habit to tell someone, a friend, a relative, or a neighbor where you intend to go and when you are planning to come back. This way, they can alert the authorities if something looks amiss.
Learn about the Precautions Outdoors
This part of this ultimate winter guide will teach you about the preparation you must learn to deal with the possible safety hazards outdoors once the snow sets in. They’re as follows:
Sprinkle sand on icy walkways to prevent you from slipping. You can also use cat litter instead of sand.
Always walk with caution when engaged in outdoor activities.
Bring your cell phone with you wherever you go.
The best tips for winter don’t end when you have already learned about what to do come wintertime to make it safe and fun. You also have to make sure you are comfortable during the season by having the appropriate attire and gear you can use indoors and outdoors.
The Ultimate Winter Guide in Buying Heated Slippers
Aside from putting on socks to keep your feet warm while inside your home, there is a better and warmer alternative, and that is to get the best heated slippers possible. These products can help those who are prone to aching joints and muscles from too much cold.
You can wear them inside and while taking a short breather on the balcony or verandah. They can also help people coming from work with freezing feet to warm them up at a faster rate.
When shopping for this kind of product, this ultimate winter guide recommends that you look into the size chart and read through the reviews or ask the seller if you need to get your actual size or get something in one or two sizes bigger.
Here are some of the best products out in the market when it comes to heated slippers:
This pair of heated slippers from Bial is so comfy and can be used by both genders. It has insulating cotton with a cover that’s made of soft wool, a perfect combination to retain heat even when used indoors or outdoors.
Its elastic thick and soft padded cotton material makes it suitable for women with a foot size of 4.5 to 13 and men with sizes 5 to 10. It has an added heating material with crystal nanofilm that makes heating faster at higher temperatures. It’s also bend-resistant and washable.
Another good thing about the Bial slippers is that they are equipped with a smart temperature management module. This enables you to conserve energy while enjoying the warmth that the product can give to your feet.
You can adjust the temperature depending on your preference and needs. It also has a skid-resistant design which makes it ideal not only for the young ones but also for older people. The slippers are waterproof, so you can use them even in the bathroom.
On the downside, the slippers are on the expensive side and can no longer provide sufficient heat when the weather gets extremely cold. It still is a good buy, though, for everyday winter use.
This pair of booties must be connected to a power source to work, making it ideal only for indoor use. The cozy product utilizes carbon heating technology that allows it to retain heat for a short period of time after pulling it out from the power source which is a USB outlet with a 5V low-voltage. You can choose between two heating levels: fast warmth and gentle warmth.
To enhance mobility, the foot warmer adapted the concept of two-piece booties. The heating temperature will depend on how cold the weather is, but generally, it can be up to 109° F. Once plugged in, it usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes before you feel its warmth. As a safety feature, the heater turns off automatically after 3 hours of continued use.
This pair of ObboMed booties have zippers for convenient use, and its soft sole design gives the right level of comfort. The product comes with a USB adapter and detachable cables you can use to connect it to other power sources such as laptops and power banks.
This ultimate winter guide’s top 3 choice when it comes to heated slippers during winter is from Volt Gen 4. It comes with three levels of heat you can customize according to how warm you want it to be.
You can change the setting from low, medium, to high. You can use the product for indoor and light outdoor activities due to its rubber soles. You can easily wear the pair even while you are wearing gloves with its nylon pull tab.
The brand offers a money-back guarantee if you happen to buy a pair that won’t fit. Aside from the product itself, the package comes with a wireless remote, a dual charger, and two rechargeable batteries.
You can bring them anywhere you go and charge the batteries when needed. These slippers are comfy and handy, good enough qualities to be included in the best tips for winter list.
The Ultimate Winter Guide in Buying Heated Shirts and Base Layers
Layering is a common habit when the weather is cold, but it can get stuffy and uncomfortable. It limits your movements, especially when you put too many layers of shirts and sweaters in trying to keep you warm.
Among the best tips for winter you’ll find useful during the cold season is the use of heated shirts and base layers instead of putting on piles of shirts. They look classy and can provide enough warmth whether you are indoors or outdoors.
Heated shirts and base layers serve as the body’s protection against the usual health problems typically incurred due to extreme weather conditions. These illnesses include sore throat, nosebleeds, catarrh, stiff joints, arthritis, and common colds.
The product also provides sufficient warmth without limiting your movement while making you feel comfortable and look fashionable at the same time.
When choosing the best heated shirts and base layers, always check the fabric used and its other features. A good product of this type should withstand cold weather even when engaged in outdoor activities such as skiing, hunting, or motorcycle riding.
You have to study the size chart provided to ensure that you get something that’s neither too small to make you feel suffocated nor too big to defeat its purpose of giving your body sufficient warmth.
Here are the top 3 choices of heated shirts and base layers for this ultimate winter guide.
The product has versions for both men and women. It can be worn indoors and when enjoying outdoor activities such as hunting, skiing, camping, or simply strolling around the neighborhood.
It functions through a rechargeable 5V 6000mAh power bank and comes with three built-in heating panels. You can also use other USB enables power sources to power the shirt such as a tablet, PC, or phone, though this will reduce its heating capability.
Aside from giving the core of your body sufficient warmth, it doesn’t hinder you from doing what you want to do. It is comfortable and allows a full range of motion while in use. You can choose among its three heat settings depending on comfort and how cold the weather is.
The low heat setting in blue color lasts for 4.5 hours and up to 90° F. The medium heat setting in white color lasts for 3 hours and up to 110° F. Lastly, the high heat setting in red color lasts for 2 hours at 130° F.
The shirts utilize the ActionWave heat reflective and FAR infrared heating technologies, giving users comfort with efficient heating capacities. You will also feel light while wearing the shirt, but if the weather gets extremely cold, you can opt to use this as a base layer for another garment. It comes in black color with long sleeves that look cozy and stylish.
Each package comes with a USB charging kit, a power bank with 6000mAh at 5V, and the ActionHeat base layer shirt.
This heated shirt thermal underwear from Venture Heat is available in three different colors: black, mauve, and charcoal. This heated clothing is safe to use and heat-resistant at the same time.
You have three choices when it comes to heat settings: high runs up to 2 hours, medium up to 4 hours, and low up to 6 hours. It is powered by a 5000 mAh 5V power bank. You can easily change the temperature setting by pressing a button.
The product line is an improved version with 20 percent bigger heating panels, enabling your body’s core to warm up quickly while wearing the shirt. It utilizes carbon fiber heating technology that gives sufficient warmth to your abdomen, shoulders, and back.
The brand is proud to say that this is the only heated shirt in the market that flexes as you move without sacrificing the heat your body gets. It is made from waterproof and lightweight moisture-wicking synthetic fabric with an antibacterial feature. It also comes with a YKK zipper, making it easier to put on and remove.
The brand offers one year guarantee for the shirts. To clean this heated shirt, you can either hand wash or put it in a laundry bag before washing it in the tub.
The product is made from ultra-thin fabric, but it still makes it to the top 3 in our ultimate winter guide for the best heated shirts. The fabric is intended for layering and to avoid bulking. It comes with a four-panel heat system, ensuring you’ll stay warm while wearing the product.
You can customize the heat by pressing a button until you get the kind of warmth perfect for your body temperature and the season.
This Volt 7V long sleeve base layer shirt comes with a money-back guarantee. The manufacturer accepts returns for purchases that did not fit. You only have to send the unused shirt along with its original packaging.
The company is also proud of its customer support and how they handle requests and queries. You can get in touch with them to know more about the products if you have any questions or problems.
The Ultimate Winter Guide in Buying Heated Hoodies
While hoodies are known for fashion and style, they also make it to the ultimate winter guide list because of the introduction of heated hoodies that are perfect for the chilly season. When buying this kind of product, you have to consider the heating areas the material can reach.
There are heated hoodies with heating elements up to the pockets, and there are some with none. Decide on this factor depending on your lifestyle and the uses you’ll have for the product.
For example, if you often work using bare hands, it will help to buy hoodies with heated function at the pockets so you can have somewhere to warm your hands without wasting too much time wearing and taking off your gloves or mittens.
There are also hoodies with open pockets, and there are types with zippered pockets. The latter will become valuable if you often bring your keys and other small stuff and just put them in your pants’ pockets. With zippered pockets of the hoodies, you will be assured that they will remain in place as you go about your day.
You must also look into the batteries and other accessories that come with your purchase. Most of these heated hoodies run on rechargeable batteries powered by any USB compatible chargers.
There are also certain brands that offer products that run on batteries you typically use in your tool kit. The heating time will depend on the temperature setting. If you want to extend the duration, you may want to consider buying extra batteries.
Here are the top 3 best heated hoodies that made it to this ultimate winter guide list:
This product line from Dewalt Max is made from French Terry polyester/cotton heather grey outer material. It is wind-resistant and durable, landing a spot on the list of the best heated hoodies in this ultimate winter guide.
The hoodie has a fitted waist and ribbed cuffs alongside a pocket with a hook ad loop type of closure, one accessory pocket inside with zipper closure, and two big pouch pockets.
It is powered by a USB power bank, and you can also place 20V lithium-ion batteries to extend the duration of its warmth by up to 25 percent. It has power sockets and extensions, giving you the option to put it either at the back or front pockets, wherever you feel more comfortable.
You can control its temperature setting by pushing a button and choosing from low, medium, and high.
The second spot for the best heated hoodie in this ultimate winter guide goes to the Omega heated hoodie by Volt. It comes with four heat zones strategically placed on both hand pockets, lower back, and upper back. You can easily control its heat setting with a touch of an external push button and choosing between its three heat levels.
The product utilizes industry-leading technology for the heating system which is the 5V Zero Layer. The manufacturer assures you of an excellent product with sufficient heating capabilities to make you withstand the freezing season.
It is made from cotton and polyester blend with high strength, allowing it to look great and retain its shape even after a long while.
Each package comes with a charging cord and a USB power bank battery with 5V 6000 mAh. The heat can last up to 6 hours at its lowest temperature setting and two hours at its highest.
The third on the list of the ultimate winter guide‘s best heated hoodies is the Milwaukee M12 for its durability and features. It is both waterproof and windproof, giving you all the chances to enjoy the weather while keeping you warm at all times.
This is a popular product, which many people already own, but its main downside is that it doesn’t include a charger and battery in the package.
The hoodie’s exterior is made from durable cotton which traps heat inside with its waffle weave interior lining. The garment is flexible, light, and durable. It allows you to move freely without feeling heavy and bulky.
You can choose from three heat settings (high, medium, and low), lasting anywhere from two to six hours. It features a fitting waist and tight cuffs so you can go about your work while wearing this product.
The Ultimate Winter Guide in Buying Heated Hats
What’s winter without a hat, or to be more fitting, a heated hat? Heated beanies will protect your head from the cold and reduce your risk of suffering from migraines and headaches. They use stretchable soft fleece that will fit your head comfortably.
Also, these products come with a charger and a rechargeable battery. You can wear them while wearing a hoodie to give you ample protection, especially when you want to try outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and other winter sports.
The fiber elements in these heated hats make them appropriate to be part of this ultimate winter guide. The element provides heat that helps in boosting your blood circulation.
When buying heated hats, you must first consider the fabric used to make them. The thickness depends on the material and the number of layers the hat includes. There are hats perfect for everyday use while at home, and there are also those with an outer wind-resistant feature that you can use while riding the motorcycle, sledding, and doing other outdoor adventures.
Make sure that you buy heated hats with rechargeable batteries and as much as possible, with the charger included in the package. An excellent example of the kind of battery that will keep your head comfortable and warm for long hours is the 7.4 V Li-polymer rechargeable battery.
Primarily, these hats will warm up your ear area, though you have to wait up to 10 minutes before you feel its full warmth spreading all over your head.
Here are the top two heated hats that made it to this ultimate winter guide:
The Rabbitroom winter beanie heated hat is unisex and made of a soft inner lining and top-quality acrylic outer material. The product is windproof, breathable, warm, and nice. Kids and adults can wear this to eliminate the typical pains people get when exposed to icy temperatures.
Its three heating temperature settings make it appropriate to be worn even when the temperature reaches below freezing levels. When it comes to the heating area, the two sides near the ear heat faster, but the heat spreads eventually all over the head.
It runs on a lithium-ion 7.4V 2200 mAh rechargeable battery that lasts from here to seven hours, depending on the setting you have chosen for its heat.
You can use the product at work, especially when your area doesn’t have enough heat. You can also wear the heated beanie during casual walks or while skiing, ice fishing, or plowing the snow.
This winter knitting beanie heated hat looks stylish and elegant. Both genders can wear it, and the product is known for its efficiency in providing sufficient heat to the head. The heat it provides is enough to boost blood circulation in the ears and head. Its cap’s plush fur feels good and comfy, especially in the ear area.
This is a perfect companion for your favorite winter activities such as skiing, climbing, hiking, or even while at work or taking a ride. You can choose among its three levels of temperature depending on how cold the weather is. The heated feature will last up to seven hours when fully charged.
Final Thoughts
Winter can be risk-free as long as you have prepared for the season. Hopefully, this ultimate winter guide has provided you with useful tips to help you minimize the risks and maximize the fun and enjoyable times you can have during the freezing season.
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