The temperatures are still warm and the days are still long, but before you know it, winter will be here. And with winter comes cold weather, short days, and lots of snow and ice. Much like animals spend time getting their belongings in order before winter, I?ve found the dreary and busy season is so much more manageable when I am prepared. Here are four things you can do to make sure you and your family are ready for the winter blast.
Clothes. This is a big one with growing kids?even when I think I have all of the sweaters, coats, and boots in order, there?s always a lost boot sock or a kid with a major growth spurt. Spend some time going through the winter clothes before they are needed and fill in any clothing gaps before you find yourself making a desperate run to the store for a coat.
Car. Depending on where you live, winter can bring an entirely new set of driving conditions, including freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. Make sure your car has the right tires, windshield wipers, and winter equipment and that it is stocked with emergency supplies.
Home. Make sure your heating system is functioning and that your windows and doors are sealed properly?there?s not much worse than leaking seals that let in cold air. I also stock my home with lots of blankets to keep everyone warm and comfortable.
Food. It may seem silly, but I like to get my pantry ready for winter as well. During the colder months, we eat a lot of soup, casserole, and hot chocolate. The snow makes me much less motivated to go grocery shopping, so I stock up early on hearty ingredients and things to make our favorite winter meals, plus snacks just in case we get snowbound.
