Seriously, after reading about how bad the South has taken "Winter", I am quite surprised and shocked at how people don't get common sense concepts to us New Englanders.

So, I thought I would share some basic winter tips from New Englanders to GA members down south, so you guys don't become stuck:

1. Take your time and don't rush, when walking- I know Southerners might never heard of the dreaded "black Ice" that we have in Boston and New York, but Ice can be invisible to the eye and on surface, so slow and steady keeps you safe.

2. If Driving, plan on alternate routes on top of alternate routes- One of the biggest problems I am hearing is that people don't seem to prepare for alternate routes. Sure you might have driven the same road every day for 20 years, but there might be other roads home. TomTom is decent, but it does not substitute experience and personal attempts.

3. Wear appropriate clothing even if you are driving- For Pete sakes, wear a jacket, even if it is a light one. I am not pointing to the stereotypical rednecks with wife beaters, I am pointing to the idiotic office workers that wear their dress shirts every day. This is the 21st century, most business professionals wear regular jackets or wool coats too.

4. If you don't have special melting salt or other winter supplies, plan on using good substitutes- For instance, you can use kitty litter if salt and sand are not present. Seriously, it's a simple and easily found item in most stores. If your car is stuck in ice, take some kitty litter out and pour a good amount around you tires for traction.

5. Lastly, another car issue- DON'T USE HOT WATER TO CLEAR ICE OFF WINDSHIELDS! Ice is made by water, so one of the issues is that it will just ice up again. Another issue, the most important one, HOT WATER AND A COLD GLASSY SURFACE CREATES CRACKS! If you want to be stitched up after your windshield cracks and breaks on the highway, feel free to do that. Get some vinegar from your home, mix it with a little cold water, and you have a de-icing solution.

------------------------------------

Stay safe and try to be winter prepared even if you usually live in mid 50's - 60's.