How to Prepare for a Cold Winter? Get Winter Ready with These 6 Tips

Your stash of sweaters, mufflers and quilts? Air them out or send them for dry cleaning before we hit peak winter. If you don't like heavy quilts, you can warm up your bed by switching to flannel, fleece, or thick cotton bed covers.

This is also a time when the sun's not out too often. If your freshly washed clothes smell musty, add a small dose of fabric conditioner to your laundry load. And if they don't feel fully dry, use a hair dryer to get the last bit of dampness out.

Winter tends to dry out skin and hair. If you are especially prone to this, rub some warming oil like sesame or coconut into your skin fifteen minutes before your bath. Make sure your bathwater is just warm, not too hot. Don't skip a hydrating conditioner for your hair. Afterwards, put on some moisturizing lotion to rehydrate your skin. And if you are stepping out, wear sunscreen - harmful UV rays are still around even if the sun isn't!

P.S. Watch out for our email answering your burning freezing questions about winter personal care!

Do you keep pet food in the fridge? Remember to warm it up or at least bring it to room temperature before giving it to them. For dogs, adding a pinch of turmeric and a teaspoon of coconut oil to their bowl is good - some cats like this too! Dogs and cats may also need to eat more to stay warm: do check with their vet and increase their food intake for these months.