Canterbury Woods resident Anita Dyer shared this article in a recent community newsletter and gave her permission to share on the Front Porch blog. She changed the content slightly to be less community specific.

Our worst weather follows the holidays each year. It’s cold, wet and in recent years we have had multiday power outages.

Do you have a flashlight? Do you have a lantern you can set on the table or counter? Do you have a flashlight you can use hands free, such as a headlamp? Do you need more lights to have enough light in your apartment to stay safe during a power outage? There are flashlights that plug into the wall, staying charged until needed and then light up during a power outage. Many lanterns have solar panels on top so you recharge in a window or on your balcony or patio.

We are dependent on hearing aides, cell phones, tablets and other small rechargeable items for our safety and comfort. During a power outage you need a back-up battery to recharge your small devices. An adult child is the best person to sort out which back up battery will best meet our needs because this is the world they live in. No kids? The NY Times Wirecutter, Consumer Reports  and you more tech savvy friends are great sources for reviews of batteries.

Do you get cold easily? Silk has magical properties. Wrapping your neck with a silk scarf is equivalent to putting on a sweater or light jacket. A silk scarf rolled up in a pocket. Wrap your neck when chilly, loosen as you warm up and take back off when too warm.

Fleece, wool, down and silk all hold warmth in.  A down lap robe will keep the heat in when you are sitting. Toss it on the bed when you turn in and double warmth of your bedding.

A buckwheat neck wrap is useless in a power outage but on a normal winter day it is a great way to infuse your body with warmth. Follow the instructions for heating in the microwave then wrap around your neck before curling up under your fleece or down throw. Be sure to test times in the microwave so you get warm but stay safe from burning your skin.

Do you enjoy taking a coffee home? Even when we use a lid it’s hard to carry without dribbling coffee from the sippy hole. The paper cups tend to slip off a walker seat. The trip home is long enough our coffee is not very hot when we finally sit down to enjoy it.

Travel cups are insulated and keep beverages hot (or cold). Lids range from very complicated to simple and ones that seal to ones that dribble. If your coffee machine is height restricted you want a shorter (5 inch) or about 8 oz mug.

Start a new trend on campus with a mug holder for your walker. This gift should include installation! And an 8 oz travel cup with lid that fits that cup holder.

Anita Dyer, who once lived in a cold climate.