Winter Ready

Good Morning!

As I write this from my cozy den I can't help but be thankful to be inside as the freezing rain hits the window! A coffee and fire going in the fireplace makes it a perfect day to be inside. And even though it's a hectic time of year with lots to do outside of the house i.e. shopping at  the mall for the perfect gifts, picking up baking supplies at the grocery store and hitting the craft store for supplies to enhance the holiday season decor both inside and out, sometimes it's nice to just stay in and enjoy time with the family on a day like today.

This weather is a great prompt for preparing an emergency kit for the car. You never know when you might get stranded and having a few key supplies in your vehicle can really be helpful. A blanket, matches, candles, a flashlight, some food items that have a longer shelf life like some chocolate and a box of crackers and a couple of bottles of water stashed in for good measure. You can buy a great first aid kit at Canadian Tire, Walmart or Shoppers Drugmart and then just add another kit for the car with the above mentioned items. It also doesn't hurt to join a service like CAA . Also, check to see if you have roadside assistance with your vehicle as they provide a lot of the same services as CAA.

As for vehicle maintenance in the winter months you should try to keep your gas tank healthy. Never go below a quarter tank of gas in the winter. You never know when you may get stuck in traffic extra long and the last thing you want to worry about in the cold weather is running out of gas! Also, check your tire pressure and oh, make sure you have invested in some winter tires. They really do help with the different road conditions you will experience over the next few months. Additionally, it doesn't hurt to have an extra bottle of -40C windshield wiper fluid in the car as we go through a lot more of it in the winter months. And, if you notice your windshield wipers smearing on the windshield, it's probably time to change them and picking up a pair made specifically for winter is best.

Drive safe and have a great Sunday!

Joanne