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I have a long sleeve t-shirt that says “Sometimes Frozen, Always Fresh” with a sketch of our State surround by our Great Lakes. Currently we are frozen!
During this artic freeze that Mother Nature has given us, we are hearing a lot about what we need to keep in our vehicles to stay safe in case of a breakdown.
That made me think…what should I NOT keep in the car when the temps drop low enough to make the North Pole feel warm? So, I checked it out ‘The Family Handy web-site’ and found some golden nuggets of advice.
Glasses
Extreme cold can cause the frames of your glasses to become brittle and snap.”. I keep mine on my visor so they need to come down cause I would sob if anything happened to my favorite shades!
Eggs
Save your grocery shopping for last on your list of errands. Don’t leave the pre-chicks in car. If you expose eggs to extreme cold, they can freeze in their shells and then crack. If this happens, toss them.
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans, such as those that contain hairspray or spray paint, shouldn’t be kept in extremely cold conditions. Exposure to cold temperatures can destabilize the pressurized cans. Cold can make the cans crack or even explode. That would be a thrill while driving on the Highway, a large explosion.
Beverages
Leaving beverages in your vehicle for extended periods of time when the temperature dips below freezing often results in a mess, they can explode. I left a six pack of cans in the back seat one time. Trust me, you’ll only do that once. It is a pain the dairy-air to clean the inside roof of your ride.
Pets
During the winter months, the interior temperature of your vehicle can cool to the outside temperature quickly, leaving pets at risk. The cold can hurt them just as much as a human. Always remember to never leave pets unattended in a parked car, especially during extreme temperatures.
Musical Instruments
Extreme cold can adversely affect musical instruments. At best, the cold air will cause them to go out of tune. At worst, it can cause some instruments, particularly those made of wood, to shrink and even crack. You may want to double check to make sure your kiddos don’t leave their instruments in the car just to get out of practicing.
Canned Goods
The USDA notes canned goods can freeze and expand just like soda and beer. This expansion can break the seal and cause the food to spoil. Sounds worse than a dent!
Medication
Low temperatures can affect some drugs. If you visit a pharmacy in the winter months, don’t leave your medications in the car. If you’re not going right home, carry them in a purse, backpack or pocket. All I know is that I want my drugs working and so do you!
A Gas Tank on Low
One of my Daddy’s golden rules is keep your tank more than half full during the winter. It helps keep your fuel lines from freezing. You can also use a fuel-line antifreeze to keep lines from freezing over during extremely cold spells. I think that time is now. Just saying.
Electronics
Items like laptops and tablets don’t like extreme temperatures. The cold can affect the device’s battery life and damage processors. For many that is a life line for them (or at least they think so), go grab them as you jump out of the car!
And now you know!
This crazy cold weather has tossed us some unexpected snowballs, but with a little knowledge we will make it through.
Stay safe and warm!
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