KEY POINTS:
How are you coping with the colder weather?
Any tips? Here are your thoughts:
Milhouse
For people unable to fix drafty windows for their home, a simple adjustment can make a huge difference. Get a $1.50 clear plastic drop-sheet from the Warehouse (painters section). Cut to fit window and tape it securely around the edges of the frame with a gap of a few cm to trap air between glass and sheet. This blocks the draft completely, and it stops condensation streaming down and damaging the window frame. It sounds a bit extreme I know, but if your window does not receive sunlight in winter (like ours) and you don't mind having a slightly opaque view through he window, then you have a very cheap, effective solution. You will notice the difference immediately.
Beat the blues
Dress warmly, eat well, exercise when the sun comes out and get enough sleep. Stop the draughts in the house if there are any.
Prevent the extremities (head/feet/hands) from getting cold.
Carol (Central Otago)
We are currently snowed in but know what to do. Own a good BBQ with hood for baking, pizzas, roasts etc, in case the power goes out. We have a water pump (electrical) from our well so we store fresh water daily (enough for family members, stock, dogs, chickens!). Do not run out of chocolate as this helps with grumpy children (and parents). A nice red on hand is also a good idea. Stock firewood close to the house. Layer clothing. Keep up to date with clothes washing in case of power cuts. Keep milk powder supplies up. Do not go out on the roads - simple. If you do, carry warm clothes, blankets and some food.
Guy (Norrtalje, Sweden)
Every year New Zealand has the winterly blast stories and the tales of people unable to move, drive or carry on with day to day activities because of ice and snow. I've been living in Sweden and the winters here are twice as long and twice as icy and cold. I think New Zealand needs to be better prepared. It's not like they don't know winter is coming. Using soft rubber compound and winter studded tyres for a start will enable any two wheel drive vehicle get most places on sealed roads. I drove a Toyota Camry, front wheel drive, with winter tyres in temperatures well below freezing last winter and with sensible driving and the right tyres I had no problem getting around. There is no need for the world to grind to a halt because of a little snow. It is illegal in Sweden to drive in winter without the right tyres fitted and it may cost a little more in the short term, but in the long run the cities don't come to a grinding halt.
Mercedes Auckland
I'm not adjusting anything but my attitude for these freak weather conditions. It's all part of global warming and we better stop driving our cars or get used to it.
Jon (AKL)
Practicing my snowboarding at Snowplanet. Have got all my gear and mountain pass ready.
les
As we live in Christchurch we never cross the divide to the coast without our snow chains( hubby has been caught out only once ) and jeeeez it was cold, another one don't like we have seen pour boiling hot water on a windscreen after ice has got on it; and keep a pair of gloves & a beanie in the car.
Leese, Nelson
Considering moving to the warmer parts of Aussie!
