5 Ways to Stay Safe This Winter*

I cannot believe Winter is just around the corner, it feels like 5 minutes ago it was that heat wave, but that was in July, in fact we’re not closer to Christmas than we are to that heat wave. 2018 has just flown in, and with the dark nights closing in on us, the rest of the year will be over before we know it.

Although I am looking forward to winter fashion, burning candles and lots of blankets, as a single person (and parent) I find I worry more about my safety during the winter months. From catching colds, icy conditions and the fact it’s dark outside from 4pm, it’s sad, but this is the world we live in and even though we’re still a month or so from Winter it’s never to early to prepare. So here are 5 ways to stay safe this winter;

Take a Multivitamin
Let’s start with the inevitable flu outbreak. A lot of people don’t want to get the shot, which is fair enough, so why not start taking a multivitamin instead? You can buy certain kinds that are particularly good at boosting your immune system which will help fight off any airborne viruses. Remember not everyone washes their hands or covers their mouths, so make sure you do!

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Invest In Good Shoes
Now to tackle those icy conditions. If like me and you walk everywhere, investing in some good footwear is essential! I always buy one pair of really good brogues and one pair of winter boots with tread. I also have my wellies for those snowy days. I do the school run on foot and it includes a rather steep him that is often frozen solid. As I get older I definitely see the merit in only having a few pairs of expensive shoes rather than a load of cheap pairs that have no grip and off no protection in the winter!

Secure Your Home
One of my main worries during the winter is the long dark nights. I often have to go out in the dark, alone and I worry that it will also make my home more vulnerable to burglars. Ensuring all the doors are locked, and even installing some kind of alarm system are few ways to make sure your house is safe. It’s a paranoia that stems from having a house that was robbed twice in less than a year so now I definitely air on the side of caution. If this is something you’ve experienced make sure you talk to the police and solicitor like DPP Solicitors, they can help you choose the correct course of action.

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Ensure the Correct Tyres are On Your Car
Driving in icy conditions can be just as hazardous as walking, especially if you live somewhere that has roads that aren’t tended to by the local council (only so many of the roads in our town are gritted in the winter). One way you can keep yourself safe in the car during the winter is ensuring you have the correct tyres on your car. I had no idea that there were such a thing as winter tyres until my Dad pointed it out and they can be such a help if the area you live in gets heavy snow fall during the winter.

Know What to Do in a Power Cut
We already had two power cuts in September, and that’s just the start. Luckily they happened during the day so all I could do was sit and wait for the power to come back on. However, I have been in the situation where the power has went out in the evening and it can turn your house into a hazard zone. The winters are getting worse, there is no denying that fact after the snow we had last year, so now I keep a little box with a portable phone charger, candles and matches in a cupboard I can easily get to (but still out of LM’s reach). Remember if your power goes out, don’t keep flicking the switches as this could cause a surge when the power comes back on.

I want to hope the winter won’t last as long as last year, but who am I kidding? It’ll be freezing from now until April. So it’s always better to be prepared!