Here in Central Texas*, our winters aren’t usually very harsh. But there are still some precautions to take- Not only with the weather but also what you do to keep warm.

*Note- These are dangers you may face anywhere. But some things may refer a little bit more to central Texas than others. 

1. Black Ice

Texas may not have blizzards and extreme winter weather, but we occasionally get black ice. Black ice isn’t actually black. Basically, it’s just ice on the road. You either don’t see it, or it looks like water. So when driving during winter, it’s best to be very careful because there may be patches of black ice. It can make drivers swerve or even crash on the road. Some places have thick layers of ice on the road, but that almost never happens here.

2. Space Heaters

Space heaters are meant to keep you warm in the cold, winter months. You may be thinking, Why should I use a space heater if I can just turn up the thermostat? Well, this is a good way to keep warm in an older, two-story house. Usually, these houses keep the top floor warm, but not the bottom floor.  And as with any electrical related item, There are some rules to follow in order to keep safe.

You should ALWAYS turn it off and unplug it before leaving the room or house. Also, NEVER stand too close to one or have your things too close. You can burn yourself and your belongings.

3. The Fireplace

Ah… Don’t you just love those nights curled up by the fire while drinking hot cocoa? Although almost every single house has a fireplace, fire is still fire and we must be careful. The most important thing to remember: Never go to bed or leave the house if the fire is still burning. There should always be someone watching the fire and making sure it goes out. Although this may take a while, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to risk burning your house down. According to streetdictionary.com, there isn’t just a risk of fire. A fire burning in your fireplace is actually a big source of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and flammable gas. It can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. But to avoid this risk, just make sure your fireplace is venting normally and make sure the flue is open.

A fire burning in a fireplace

Overall, Winter can be dangerous wherever you go, not just where there are blizzards and other extreme weather.