Cornwall Ontario – Despite those few odd days of warmth that were granted to the city of Cornwall, we have seen a pretty harsh winter this year. With bone chilling winds at frost biting temperatures, lots of people are staying inside to save their fingertips and toes from a wintery death. If you walk up Pit St, you may notice a regular amount of cars parked up and down the street but not many people. Cornwall residence Jesse Harris says,
“It’s been pretty cold out. It’s been pretty hard on my car too, it doesn’t like to start when it’s cold.”
Many of the troubles with wintertime is for most cars, when it gets too cold (as with electronics) the batteries tend to drain rather quickly. When you are out in the middle of nowhere and your car either stops mid cruise or fails to start all together, you can be in a bit of a pickle. A good pointer you might want to think about is, keeping a safety kit, a bunch of warm blankets and a flashlight. If you are on the road, especially given the current temperature outside, make sure to take as many extra precautions as possible. A Morrisburg local John Rose comments,
“I’m staying inside, I have a heavier jacket than normal, but other than that I’m not leaving my house unless I have too.”
Before leaving the house make sure you wear gloves, scarves, hats, boots, proper clothing before going outside. This winter is not over yet and we are in for more cold weather ahead, it is important to remember that winter tires are probably a really good idea right about now as apposed to those summer and seasonal tires some drivers still cruise around in. Especially if we are in for more freezing rain, like what we have already gotten this past winter. Jesse comments,
“Got myself a jacket… no hats, no gloves, I tough it out. I’m Canadian come on! Burn our wood to heat the house; we don’t use hydro and all that. Snowboarding’s been pretty cold though, some icicles on my beard.”
Canadians have a level of tolerance when dealing with the cold. That being said, high tolerance or not, the cold still damages our bodies and if youre not careful it could leave you with some searous consiquences. Something to keep in mind as well, check the weather channels before putting on your outfit in the morning because you may want to be adding on some of those extra layers. John says,
“The weather this winter is really weird. It goes from cold to like… that week of warm weather now it’s cold gin. It’s just really strange this year.”
This winter is going to be a long one, so before you go out make sure to bundle up. If you have to be out all day, make sure you try to plan the safest shortest distances possible. Another thing to try is: if you don’t have to go out, don’t. With these cold days here to stay, a hot cup of cocoa, curled up next to a fire with either a good book or a good movie, is just the thing to tide you over until the summer comes.
Jesse says,
“If I could go to Florida right now that’d be great. Go for six months come back, it’d be great. Winter is cold.”
E.V. Hutcheon is a 2nd year St. Lawrence College Journalism Student. She has professionally edited a Polish history book and is hoping to see her dream and passion of writing into a career. Previously living Toronto, E.V. is now a proud Cornwall citizen. On her off time you can usually find her at home writing her latest book, or walking along the St Lawrence River.
Well this winter has sure done a number on my old carcass and I have been bringing home groceries with my daughter (loads of it on foot). Just this morning one nice lady offered to drive us since she lived in the homes nearby and we declined thanking her for her offer. We have a great neighborhood all around with wonderful people here in Ottawa.