{"id":16559,"date":"2022-11-23T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/content-manager\/?p=16559"},"modified":"2022-11-23T15:01:25","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T20:01:25","slug":"winter-prep-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/winter-prep-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"How to be Prepped for Winter in NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Winter is quickly approaching, and anyone who has lived in New York City<\/a> from November through March knows it can get brutal. Temperatures often plunge into the single digits, wind chill can be painful, and snow storms can be incredibly destructive. Still, many people live in NYC year-round and have developed strategies to get through the winter without too much trouble. These tips and tricks will make the season bearable and maybe even fun under the right circumstances. So grab your jacket and snow boots. It\u2019s time to prepare for winter!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Preparing Your Home for Winter<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Keep the Cold Outside<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Whether you have a radiator<\/a> or central heating<\/a>, you want your home insulated. This means ensuring all your windows are closed, any cracks or holes in your walls are plugged up, and doors in your home don\u2019t remain open for too long. For some added heat, see about getting some blackout curtains or insulating shades, which will help prevent heat from escaping. If you\u2019re still feeling a little chill in the air, it\u2019s time to start dressing in layers and breaking out the blankets. Rugs and carpets will also help keep your floors nice and toasty. Space heaters can be helpful here too, but make sure you have a fire extinguisher, as they can be a fire hazard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Emergency Supplies<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s good to have emergency supplies<\/a>, like a flashlight, fresh water, and canned food, as well as extra batteries for smoke alarms, ready in the case of a power outage. Ice storms can wreak havoc on NYC powerlines, occasionally leaving people without power. It\u2019s good to be prepared if and when that happens, so having a few extra supplies is always smart. Making sure your phone is charged, you have a crank radio, and a surplus of blankets is also a good idea. You want to be fed, warm, and capable of receiving new information. It\u2019s better to be safe rather than sorry. If you have pets, keep their needs in mind as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Beware of Salt<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

People put out road salt during winter to help keep sidewalks and roadways free of snow and ice. Unfortunately, this salt can get stuck to your shoes, damaging floors and even being hazardous to pets. It\u2019s good to have a place to wipe your shoes off at the entryway to your home. Having a designated space for shoes or wipes to clean them is a great way to save your floors and keep your pets from eating that nasty road salt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Preparing Yourself for Winter<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dress in Layers<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The cold and wind chill in NYC is no joke. When locals tell you to dress in layers, they don\u2019t mean just a sweater and a coat. They mean thick or multiple socks, long johns underneath your pants, several layers of shirts and sweaters, and even face coverings. A nice pair of thick gloves will be extremely helpful too. People who find themselves outside in the winter will thank their lucky stars that they have enough layers<\/a> to keep themselves warm. Many will also bring extra layers in a backpack, just in case.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Get a Sturdy Pair of Boots<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Snow in NYC is tricky and can go through a lot of changes in a short amount of time. It usually starts powdery and white, becomes gray sludge, and quickly transforms into ice. These considerations can all be dangerous for different reasons, but a sturdy pair of boots can be the solution. You want a pair with good traction, waterproofing, and, ideally, material to help keep your feet warm. The city winter will beat these shoes up, so you’ll likely need new ones every few years. That said, it\u2019s one of the best investments you can make.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Download Emergency Alert Apps\/Keep Track of the Subway<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In most cases, the subway<\/a> system won\u2019t close down entirely. However, many lines and stations will face difficulty in the winter months due to cold, snow, and other issues. It can be extremely annoying to try and navigate the city when your station is closed down, so it\u2019s good to keep track of all the stations you\u2019ll need throughout your day. Again, it\u2019s unlikely that the entire system will shut down, but it’s happened before. It pays to check to see what is and isn\u2018t running. You can sign-up for Notify NYC by calling 311, or you can keep track of emergencies by following NYC.gov on Twitter.<\/p>\r\n

Although it seems counterintuitive, the MTA likes to perform maintenance work during the winter season. This means your entire station may undergo service on a weekend, and you’ll need to figure out a backup plan. Navigating side routes during the winter is frustrating, but try to imagine doing so on a 90-degree day in July.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Prepare Your Car<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Preparing your car for winter is extremely important for those who drive in NYC. You\u2019ll need some emergency supplies in case you get stuck. These supplies include kitty litter (which helps melt snow and ice), tire chains, emergency blankets, a portable shovel, a jack, booster cables, flags or reflective triangles, and a snowbrush\/ice scraper. If you leave your car parked outside, try to find a garage to leave it in. In too many cases, cars get buried under snow from a storm or a snowplow. Always ensure your tires are good to go and don\u2019t drive in unsafe conditions if you can avoid them. Driving during the storm is a good way to total your car, or worse.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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