Making the Hard Freeze a Little Easier

If you haven’t heard yet, Houston is in for a hard freeze in the next few days (with a potential for snow!). But don’t freak out yet. So far, the expectation is that the power grid can handle this cold snap. Make sure to be prepared, just in case, with these guidelines from the Houston Office of Emergency Management. If you’re like me, you know general rules about how to deal with a Houston freeze, but you always end up needing to Google something. Like: can I put salt on my windshield to melt the ice? (This is not a good idea). So – for my fellow readers who were born and raised in the sauna that is Houston – these are the things I’ve had to Google in the last few years. Plus, some recommendations for warm and cozy activities on the cold days to come.
 

All the things you forgot since the last freeze: 

My car says low tire pressure!
Tire pressure can decrease about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. If your tire pressure drops, you should be filling it with air until it’s back to your normal PSI.

Icy windshield
There are a few solutions to ice on your windshield – the easiest and fastest is prevention: put a trash bag over the windshield to prevent ice from forming. You can lock the bag in place with the windshield wipers. Don’t forget to wrap your side mirrors too! 
Too late for that? If you have a few minutes, just turn on the car defrost and wait. If you’re in a rush, you can try spraying a solution of 2/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 water. 

What if I have to drive?
Avoid driving in icy conditions whenever possible. If you must drive on ice, remember to drive very slowly, maintain a large distance (about three times as much as usual) from other vehicles, and avoid sudden harsh braking or sudden acceleration. If you start to skid, steer gently in the direction your car is sliding towards to regain control; essentially, "steer into the skid."

Can my kid play outside?
Be careful with little ones – babies and toddlers are more sensitive to cold. If you take your child out during this time, make sure to wrap them up well – warm socks, gloves or mittens, layers – and stay outside for 30 minutes or less. The general rule of thumb is to keep younger children inside when the temperature is less than 20 degrees. 

The traffic light is broken and it's chaos
In times of extreme weather, it’s common for traffic lights to be damaged. If you run across a broken traffic light at an intersection, treat it as you would a four-way stop. Be sure to practice defensive driving – many drivers do not know what to do in this situation, particularly in a busy intersection. Drive slowly, pay attention, and take abundant caution. 

Should I say goodbye to my bushes now? 
By now, most Houstonians know to bring their plants inside when it’s freezing – but you may have forgotten that you can help your outdoor plants and bushes as well. Tarps or garbage bags can help insulate these plants from the freezing weather. 

Now that the practical stuff is out of the way, here’s how to get extra cozy:

• Hand Warmers Pick up some hand warmers. They’re much more common in the north, but they’re really perfect for keeping your hands toasty warm.
• Blanket Fort For young and old: embrace the euphoria of the blanket fort.
• Hot Cocoa Personally, I’ll always use the Swiss Miss packets. But we also have fun hot chocolate recipes in The Buzz vault: 
  • Chocolate Caliente
  • Peppermint Hot Chocolate 
• Apple Cider Try this recipe from the Junior League.

It’s too icy to drive anywhere. What do I do?

Watch a new show or movie:

TV Shows

Critic Favorite: Severance
This is my personal pick – I’ve never seen it, but season two just came out, and the ads have convinced me I need to start watching. 

Soap Opera-Esque: Virgin River 
Our editor-in-chief, Joni, thinks this show is very cheesy, but also loves it.

Heartwarming Family Pick: Man on the Inside 
Our editor Jordan adores this show starring Ted Danson, from the creators of The Good Place, about a lonely widower who accepts an undercover spy job to solve a theft at a retirement home. 
 

Movies

Crowd Favorite: Wicked
It’s number one for a reason, and it will kill a good two and a half hours. When else will you have the time?

Weirdly Fitting Adult Movie: The Ice Storm (1997)
I had never heard of this movie until the last time Houston iced over, when we searched “ice storm” and found this movie. This movie is mostly an intense family/romantic drama (do not let your kids watch) with a plot line loosely related to an ice storm. Is it a weird movie? Yes. But it has Sigourney Weaver. And Kevin Kline!
 

Read a book:

Try out one of Cindy Burnett’s January picks!

From all of us here at The Buzz, we hope you stay safe, warm, and in good spirits!