What started out as a relatively mild winter has now become a cold and unforgiving season for millions of Americans who already have the Covid-19 pandemic to worry about. Winter storm Uri has absolutely pummeled middle America (also known as the heartland) leaving at least 17 people dead, and millions without power in Texas.
Among the hardest hit areas were Houston and Galveston - where local governments have had to ask for trucks so they can store the bodies of people who have succumbed to the cold. The lack of power is leaving many Texans coping with freezing temperatures that they're not used to and circumstances that they're just not prepared for. While we realize that some Texans without power won't be able to see it, people on Twitter have been sharing their cold weather wisdom with the poor souls who are battling subzero temperatures. Twitter user @EyesUp_Orion started a wonderfully wholesome thread filled with very valuable advice for everyone hit by Uri. Tons more people with serious winter experience chimed in with their own hot (sorry) tips, creating a super-thread of helpfulness. While a thread might not bring the power back, it can make things a little more comfortable - or less dangerous - for everyone who is shivering. It's also just nice to see people on Twitter helping each other out.
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TEXAS PEOPLE DEALING WITH THE COLD:
— miles edgeworth the magical girl (@EyesUp_Orion) February 15, 2021
-DONT put hot water on frozen glass
-DONT scratch at you skin
-DO check your tire pressure if you have to go out
-DONT put salt over already fallen snow
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i live in the cold part of maryland so these are things that like. people who arent used to it might not know..
— miles edgeworth the magical girl (@EyesUp_Orion) February 15, 2021
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dealing with frost bite/hypothermia
— easy bake nby (@VaniTonii) February 16, 2021
-try and warm yourself up ‘slowly’, don’t jump into a steaming hot bath or laying your hands directly on/over a heater
-instead, just try to layer blankets, if you have heat pads/heated blankets they can help but don’t over do it
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- warm drinks help with internal temperature. drinking tea, hot chocolate, or even just warm water
— easy bake nby (@VaniTonii) February 16, 2021
-warming yourself up too quickly is very painful, and increases the feeling of itching and burning
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- use a few layers of thin clothing instead of one or two really thick. Trapping the air between a few thin layers keeps you warm and is easier to adjust by taking one off if too warm/sweaty.
— 💊 Lucy 🏳️🌈 (@NomTheBurritos) February 16, 2021
- don't keep carbonated drinks in the car as they will explode if frozen
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- use thick soles on boots, don't go out in thin as you want to put as much room between the snow and the foot as possible
— 💊 Lucy 🏳️🌈 (@NomTheBurritos) February 16, 2021
- keep a flashlight/headlight in the car for emergency purposes
- same for snacks; nuts, energy bars and jerky. Big meals cost energy, small generate!
// 🇸🇪
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The best driving advice I've ever received pic.twitter.com/j7MII4rhqG
— I NEED U (urban mix) 💜⁷ (@JHopeWorld16) February 16, 2021
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Also re: driving - when it comes to breaking (slowing or stopping) and turning, don’t try to do both at the same time.
— Amy Dunollie 📚 🏳️🌈 (she/her) (@chapeskie) February 16, 2021
Slow down in anticipation of a turn but avoid breaking while turning whenever possible.
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Also, if you really start sliding, don't panic and steer INTO the direction you're sliding to help your wheels gain traction. Once you can feel traction, slowly correct your direction.
— Sarah's a Spoonie Moonie 🌙 (@SRZinnyPants) February 16, 2021
And...
‼️LEAVE A LARGE FOLLOWING DISTANCE‼️
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Why no scratching? - Texan
— R. (@whipplecushion) February 15, 2021
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the scratched part of skin is more sensitive and is going to leave you more susceptible to frostnip/frostbite ESPECIALLY with lots of wind. hope this helps
— miles edgeworth the magical girl (@EyesUp_Orion) February 15, 2021
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also, keep a blanket and a candle in your Vehicle if you are stuck on the side of the road,, you would be surprised how one little candle can keep you warm without keeping your Vehicle running even in -10 and colder temps
— Cory Jankoski (@Coryjankoski) February 15, 2021
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Canadian here:
— Vaughn (@VP_Ketchup) February 16, 2021
Also keep some kitty litter in the car if you can. Toss it around the wheels if you get suck spinning your tires on snow/ice.
And can someone explain the salt on fallen snow bit? Are we all using salt wrong up here? We salt very liberally
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It actually doesn't help that much after a certain temp, usually around 14° F/-10° C
— 💜 Glassy 💜 (@GlassyColors) February 16, 2021
Salt is also horribly bad for the environment as remnants from it can destroy local aquatic ecosystems
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-turn on the kitchen sink to a trickle so your pipes don't freeze
— Rai of Sunshine ☀️✨ (@TheNinjaLurker) February 16, 2021
-try to warm yourself up by rubbing your hands/feet/etc before putting on layers
-put on layers
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Do not, do not, do not, bring any sort of fire indoors that isn't intended to be used indoors. Don't try to heat your house with a grill. A ton of people die of carbon monoxide poisoning in power outages.
— Sheila Jenné (@jennelikejennay) February 16, 2021
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Do this instead https://t.co/ukLBSdTse2
— Rev. Blair Trygstad Stowe (@BlairTStowe) February 16, 2021
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This is more of personal advice that I feel the need to pass on:
— Kyle (@boDDaciousS) February 16, 2021
Your skin might get dry with colder weather. Constantly moisturize. Hydrate a LOT. Use Vaseline for your lips if you find them getting dry in the cold. Oh! And wear gloves and a scarf around your face.
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Warming cold hands:
— Juno Does Worldbuilding (@DoesJuno) February 16, 2021
DONT blow in them, youll just wet them with your breath
DO pull them inside your shirt/jacket and stick them into your armpits- there are many blood vessels here, so theyre nice and warm :D
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Slap your hood when you walk by, as your cleaning it, BEFORE YOU TURN IT ON. Your engine was warm yesterday when you turned it off and that warmth stuck around for a while. Small animals (especially cats) hide in your engine for safety from the cold
— Bourbon🥃🔞 (@KeepCalmBourbon) February 16, 2021
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Car tip: keep the gas tank at least 1/2 full. A near empty tank has lots of room for air & if the air is warmer than the metal tank, moisture will condense or even freeze on the inner walls, leading to water in your fuel and even blocking pipes. https://t.co/8vWVYc0j5k
— Nancy Curry 🇨🇦 (@currynj88) February 16, 2021
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quick tip from a michigander dealing with a ton of snow too: if you find your car stuck in the snow, wedging your car mats under the car can help get it out! I keep old ones in my trunk!!
— sam🌺🥀- #blm (@spacesammyy) February 16, 2021
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also if u have a fireplace DO NOT USE IT. your house will get filled with smoke & u could have a chimney fire and not even know it bc you never clean the chimney bc u never used the fireplace.
— jea 🔮 (@louvreofmine) February 16, 2021
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