Cold Winter Tips

How to Survive the Cold Weather in Massachusetts

New Englanders are no stranger to cold temperatures, especially in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with chilly weather. The arrival of February tends to bring an arctic chill, so it can be helpful to know some tips to stay warm. Lucky for you, PayLessForOil.com is here to share the smartest ways to keep you and your family warm and comfortable this winter. Keep reading to find out more!

Our Top Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

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  Dress appropriately: Layering up your clothes is one of the best ways to stay warm outside, because it traps heat close to your body. But the most important thing to remember is to cover your extremities, such as fingers and toes. The areas furthest from your heart are the ones that will show signs of hypothermia first. A great solution to cold fingers is hand warmers, especially in sub-zero temperatures. Making sure you have shoes or boots that are well insulated will also help hold off the chill.

• Keep the heat going: Make sure your house is always properly heated, even if you aren’t at home. When you return, you should be welcomed by warmth, not cold temperatures like the ones outside. Leaving your thermostat set for a decent level will also prevent your pipes from freezing, which will save you time and trouble – it may also save you money, if the services of a plumber are required to fix the issue.
• Be careful! If you need to heat up your car before you head out, use caution regarding where you do it. If your car is in the garage, don’t let it run for too long, as the carbon monoxide from the exhaust can be deadly. If you’re warming up your car outside, don’t leave it unattended – someone could easily come along and steal it. Lastly, if you’re using a space heater inside your home, make sure that nothing flammable is around it. A good rule of thumb is to keep anything flammable at least 3 feet away from a space heater.

Educate Yourself About Weather Terminology

Knowing the terms for storms and weather that occur in the colder months not only helps you be prepared for what’s coming, it could potentially save your life. Here are some that you should be familiar with (courtesy of NBC).

• Freezing Rain – Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.
• Sleet – Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.
• Winter Weather Advisory – Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situation should not be life threatening.
• Winter Storm Watch – A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.
• Winter Storm Warning – A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.
• Blizzard Warning – Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.
• Frost/Freeze Warning – Below freezing temperatures are expected.

Stay Warm and Comfortable with Delivery or Service from PayLessForOil.com

Whether you need a Bioheat® fuel delivery, a furnace or boiler tune-up, or emergency repairs, PayLessForOil.com is ready to serve you! We’re a true online e-commerce oil company that’s dedicated to bringing you the fuel and services you need at the best price possible. When you’re a customer of ours, you’ll get service from real people who put thought and effort into every interaction. If you’re already a customer, great! Contact us today for your next delivery or service. Not a customer yet? Become one and experience the difference!