5 must-do things for Russians in winter

1.Replace your car with winter tires When preparing for winter, most Russians start by winterizing their cars. Although there is a whole list of maintenance measures, the key is to replace your car with winter tires. There is no fixed date for changing tires. It is something that everyone has to do, but it takes great skill and a lot of practice for drivers to do it before the first snow covers the roads. If you change it too early, you will inevitably be scolded; if you change it too late, when the first winter snow comes unexpectedly, your car will definitely break down on the icy road. The best clue to the best time to change tires is the average temperature. When the temperature is below +5℃ for 5 consecutive days, it is time to go to the nearest maintenance point as soon as possible to change tires. Other necessary winter car maintenance measures include emptying the water tank and filling it with antifreeze, replacing the floor mats with rubber mats, charging the battery, and keeping a shovel in the car in case it is needed when it snows. 

2. Do a good job of protecting the dacha In addition to the car, most Russians also need to prepare the dacha for the winter. This is a complex project that may take the whole family several days. Usually you need to start with a thorough cleaning of the interior, i.e. clean the floors and shelves; wash clothes, towels, sheets, tablecloths and curtains; put them in closets; and cover all furniture with dust sheets. Don’t neglect the exterior of the house either, make sure the roof is intact and has no holes, which can ruin the roof when the snow starts to melt in the spring; close the shutters on the windows to better protect the interior from the outside world; drain all water tanks inside and outside the house, including toilet tanks, which have a high chance of bursting if the water freezes. It is also essential to disconnect the electricity and gas in the house. If these steps are not taken care of, you may find that your house is uninhabitable in the summer. 

3. Insulate the windows Many Russian families’ preparations for the cold aren’t limited to their country houses; they also work hard to ensure that their apartments in the city stay warm in the -30 degrees Celsius temperatures that are common. Since most of the warm air escapes through the windows, many Russians maintain their window frames before winter sets in (especially if they are still wooden frames instead of modern plastic steel windows). The first step to protect your apartment from cold is to wash the windows and window frames. Clean windows will allow more sunlight to enter the room on sunny days. Secondly, many Russians will cover the window frames with foam rubber, cotton or old cloth, blocking even the smallest openings to protect them from the cold. The main disadvantage of this method is that the windows must be kept closed throughout the winter, without ventilation. Fortunately, most Russian apartments are now equipped with modern plastic steel windows, and additional insulation is not necessarily necessary. 

4. Make the winter more comfortable for pets Russian retired boilerman: the world's first snowboarder Pets are particularly susceptible to cold in the Russian winter. Unlike humans, they can't curl up in bed or take a hot bath to keep warm. Many pet owners also try to prepare their "babies" for the cold. Buying a small insulated carpet or bed designed specifically for small animals and placing them next to the newly purchased electric heater is quite a reward for cold-sensitive pets. Most dogs need to protect their paws well, because when walking them, they are easily affected by the chemicals that city services dump on the streets to prevent ice.

5. Be prepared for guests In most Russian cities, winters are very cold. Most social activities will move from the outdoors to the apartment, and you need to be ready to welcome unexpected guests at any time. Clean the apartment thoroughly, preferably before the onset of winter (because cleaning and ventilation are more difficult in low temperatures). Prepare cups for guests and serve them hot tea, coffee or a blend of herbal teas that are good for winter warmth. Also put your favorite armchair near the fireplace to feel the warmth and comfort of the Russian winter.