Resources For Staying Safe And Keeping Warm

Survival is a team sport.

Montinique Monroe/Getty Images Friends, Wherever you are, we hope this message finds you safe. As power outages and plunging temperatures continue in Texas, millions of Americans all across the country are still on high alert for winter storms. Today, we’d like to keep it simple and provide you with some resources and tips to keep you and yours safe and warm this weekend.  For saving energy: Survival is a team sport, and conserving energy can help ensure that everyone makes it through the winter. St. Louis Public Radio has some tips to get you started: keep the thermostat at 68 or lower, and take a break from using large appliances like ovens and dryers if you're in an area where energy use is spiking. On the roads and at home: KERA in North Texas compiled tips for staying safe all week. If you’re heading out in the car, make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow or ice, and always keep a half tank of gas.  If your power goes out: Our friends at Houston Public Media remind us that if refrigerated food goes above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, there could be cause for concern. (More here.) If you’re in Texas or know someone who is: Marfa Public Radio shared resources for warming centers in West Texas here. Here’s a list for North Texas from KERA, and here are resources in the Austin area, from KUT. This doc includes resources across the state. MPR also advises against keeping cars running in a closed garage or burning wood pallets in fireplaces. Do stuff towels under doors to keep the draft out and keep the faucets dripping so pipes don't freeze. And, some tips on dressing warm: Sock + bag + sock + boot: This pro-combination to keep your feet warm was given by a mail carrier to our friends over at WBEZ in Chicago. Listen to a roundup of stellar listener-submitted tips for how to keep warm in Chicago winter here. Dress like an onion. That means lots of layers. But make sure that first one isn’t cotton — instead, go with wool or a synthetic fabric to wick away moisture. These Life Kit tips were compiled to make outdoor socializing a little easier — but they’re useful no matter the occasion.  Wishing you warmth and wellness, friends. -Andee Tagle, Life Kit producer  Newsletter continues after sponsor message Are You Applying For Jobs During The Pandemic? Next week, Life Kit is talking about jobs: getting them, quitting them and more. We’ll be running our favorite episodes about careers all week, and we want you to join us.  Career strategist Cynthia Pong (who we interviewed for our episode on switching careers) is joining us to answer your questions about applying for jobs during the pandemic — and much more. Mark your calendars for a Reddit AMA on Tuesday, February 23 at 1 p.m. ET. Join us at this link to ask Cynthia for her advice. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Vermont Public Radio (edit station). We love hearing from you. And, as always, we *love* hearing your random life tips. So send us a note at lifekit@npr.org or leave us a voicemail with a greeting, your name, phone number and your tip at 202.216.9823.   You could hear yourself in an upcoming episode. Thanks for sticking with us!    P.S. Watch this space for next week's episodes on careers, from finding a mentor to asking for a raise.  What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy