GET ready to shiver in the coming days as an Arctic blast freezes the country.
But while snowy scenes look idyllic, the icy-cold weather can make travel, getting dressed and heating your home a nightmare.
We share some handy tips to help you beat the winter chill . . .
SOCKS ON WIPERS
The morning commute can be stressful enough without factoring in some additional time to chisel ice off your car windscreen.
You can keep your wipers in good nick, and stop the rubber from freezing to the glass, by putting a pair of old socks over them.
BUBBLE WRAP WINDOWS
In freezing weather, keeping your house warm can be costly.
Don’t crank up the heat, though — stick bubble wrap to single-glazed windows with a spritz of water.
It traps heat surprisingly well and can be removed easily.
SALT IN BOOTS
Drying snow-soaked shoes and boots on radiators can cause puddles.
Put a small bowl of salt inside boots overnight.
This will pull out moisture faster than newspaper and your boots will be ready to wear again by the next day.
SPRAY CAR SEALS
To stop the rubber seals of car doors freezing shut, spray a little non-stick cooking spray on them.
This trick means you won’t break the door handle – or your nails – while trying to force your way in.
KITTY LITTER
Don’t get caught out by snow when driving.
Keep a bag of non-clumping cat litter in the boot of your car.
If you get stuck on your drive, pour it under the drive wheel where it will act as instant gravel for traction.
It’s also great to use on your driveway or road.
RICE AND WARM
Fill a sock with uncooked rice or dried peas, tie the end and microwave for two minutes.
This will provide you with some instant heat for beds, just before you dive under the covers.
FOIL THE COLD
Radiators may be able to bounce heat into a room but the heat is also absorbed by the wall behind.
Secure kitchen tin foil behind radiators to reflect all the heat back into the room.
This will also save you money as your rooms will heat up quicker and stay warmer for longer.
SANDPAPER SHOES
To give footwear a bit more grip on snow and ice, try rubbing the sole with sandpaper or a nail file.
Experts also recommend investing in grip spray, but a budget version is hairspray.
This will make the soles tacky but it’s only a temporary fix and will need to be reapplied.
THROW IN THE TOWEL
Weatherproof around draughty doors and windows with caulk or weatherstrips.
These also make your home more energy-efficient and stop moisture from seeping in.
But if you don’t have time to apply caulk, some rolled up towels placed in front of gaps will reduce heat loss and also keep noise out.
ALLOW FOR A BREEZE
While it’s tempting to keep windows closed in the coldest weeks, it’s important to introduce fresh air into your home — and remove any stale air.
This prevents winter bugs from spreading, and also reduces condensation and mould.
Wipe down condensation that forms on windows regularly.
A dehumidifier can help to reduce condensation and is also handy when drying clothes.
STICKY TAPE TRICK
If your kids are walking to school or playing in the snow, wrap a ring of wide sticky tape or duct tape around the gap where their gloves meet their coat sleeves and where their trousers meet their boots.
This will keep them cosier for longer, preventing the chill from getting inside their clothes.
