A white layer on the roofs, crackling sounds underfoot and children sledding: snow gives the outside world a wintery look and brings a lot of entertainment with it. That’s fun, until you have to cycle to work or go shopping by car. How do you ensure that you arrive at your destination safely? How do you protect your home against the cold? And do the birds need extra help when it freezes? Eight tips from experts to protect your home, garden, animals and yourself during harsh winter days.
1Clearing your car of snow is safe and mandatory
Before you hit the road, it is important to make your car completely free of snow and ice. If you drive with snow-covered windows or a load of snow on your car, you are at risk as a driver a fine of €320. Pernille Blaak, spokesperson for Rijkswaterstaat, warns: “If you speed up on the highway, the snow can slide off your roof and surprise the car behind you. And if you have to brake suddenly, the snow will slide over your windshield, reducing your visibility and causing accidents. That is why the following applies: clean the entire car, including the lights, mirrors and the license plate.”
Once on the road it is important to be careful. Blaak advises: “During snowfall and frost, you must adapt your driving style. Reduce your speed, keep sufficient distance and do not change lanes unnecessarily. In some places, such as bridges, the road surface cools down faster and it can be very slippery. And if you encounter gritters or snow plows on the road, keep a safe distance [bekijk de strooiroutes op rijkswaterstaatstrooit.nl]. Don’t try to overtake them, just keep driving behind them until you can pass safely.”
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2Let some air out of your bicycle tires for more grip
Weather and wind, rain or hail: Dutch people continue to cycle. Anyone who gets on their bike in snowy conditions does the same the KNMI it is a good idea to lower the saddle a little and let some air out of the tires; This way you increase grip on slippery roads. In addition, adjust your speed, drive predictably and keep sufficient distance from the vehicle in front to prevent slipping or unexpected braking. For avid winter cyclists, there are also special winter tires that provide extra grip.
Traffic at the Lunetten junction, where the A12 and A27 connect. Cyclists on the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.
Photo Robin van Lonkhuijzen / ANP, Photo Robin Utrecht / ANP
3Will you brave the cold on foot? Then choose a winter outfit
If you are going for a winter walk, start slowly so that your muscles warm up and the risk of injuries is reduced. In slippery conditions, take small steps, keep your feet low to the ground and move slightly, like a penguin, so that you maintain grip.
For extra safety, you can use anti-slip soles (available from ANWB, among others). If you don’t have one at home, elastic bands around the shoes also work. Walking shoes with profile soles are the best choice, as they have grooves, studs or ridges for extra grip.
To stay nice and warm during a winter walk, you can: outdoor shop Bever It is best to wear three layers of clothing: a close-fitting base layer (preferably made of thermal material such as merino wool), an insulating middle layer (made of fleece, down or wool) and a wind- and waterproof outer layer. Keeping enough air between layers will insulate your layering system better, so make sure your clothing isn’t too tight.
Amsterdam in the snow.
Photo Zara Nor
4Buy non-perishable food in the supermarket and know: ordering is possible not so easy
During extreme snow or slippery conditions you cannot always count on delivery services. Thuisbezorgd and Flink regularly experience delays due to extreme weather, and in some regions locations may even be temporarily closed. To avoid having to go out regularly in the cold, it is wise to stock up on non-perishable food.
Think of products that keep well for a long time and require little preparation: pasta, rice, frozen vegetables and bread. Snacks and dried fruit that do not spoil quickly are also useful as a snack. This way you can prepare meals without having to rely on delivery, stay safe indoors and reduce the risk of endangering others.
5Keep all rooms in your house warm and prevent frozen pipes
“During the cold it is important to keep your house at the right temperature,” says Wendy Horvath, insurance expert at Interpolis. “Keep the pipes warm by keeping each room at least 15 degrees, so that the risk of moisture problems is minimized.” Brief ventilation helps to prevent moisture accumulation, for example by opening grilles or windows briefly without allowing the cold to enter for a long time.
Do you see icicles forming near your house or car? Then remove them carefully – not only to avoid damage to your home, but also accidents, Horvath says. And when all the snow thaws again, it is important to check your gutters and drains for unblockages to prevent water from running down your walls and window frames. “But don’t do that during extreme weather conditions, because safety comes first.”
But what if something does happen? “Damage caused by snow, such as leaks or broken roofs, is usually covered by home insurance, provided there are no building or construction defects or overdue maintenance,” Horvath explains. “Even if you have an accident along the way with a car or scooter while a code orange or negative advice from Rijkswaterstaat applies, you usually remain covered.” Check whether this applies to you via your insurer’s website.
6Most animals will be fine, but you can handle them always lend a helping hand
“Wildlife is in winter mode,” says Niels Kalkman, press officer for the Animal Protection Society. “Animals know that food is scarce and that they have to save their strength. But after New Year’s Eve, when they have already used up a lot of energy with fireworks, a little help is always welcome.”
For example, you can prepare food in your garden for birds, but choose sensible options. “Just as it is not healthy for humans to live on croquettes all winter, it is not healthy for birds to constantly eat fat balls,” says Rogier van Vugt, Head of Horticulture at the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. Moreover, they can get their feet caught in the net surrounding the bulbs. You can buy healthier alternatives, such as seed mixes without a net, at garden centers.
Horse riding in De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park.
Photo Iris van den Broek / ANP
You can prepare cat food for hedgehogs. But Kalkman warns: mice, rats and other vermin like it just as much. “In winter, pests also try to sneak into houses more quickly in search of warmth and food.”
Preparing water is more important, says Vugt. A small container helps birds, hedgehogs and other small game enormously. Do not place a large bowl, otherwise birds will wash in it, which is dangerous during freezing temperatures. Kalkman further emphasizes: “Leave the animals alone as much as possible. You can only call the local animal ambulance for advice if an animal is apathetic or frozen.”
Do you keep rabbits, other rodents or chickens in the garden? Then you can temporarily bring them indoors in extreme weather, in a place that is not too warm. You can keep cats indoors if there are dangerous conditions nearby, such as frozen waters. Check the paws of dogs and cats after a walk: road salt sticks and can introduce harmful substances if they lick it. And prevent your dog from eating too much snow, says Kalkman: “That can cause a temperature shock, comparable to a brain freeze.”
7Place your garden plants in extreme weather against the house
Not all plants can easily handle the winter. “Native plants are winter-hardy, but even they can freeze to death when they are in pots. Therefore, put winter-hardy plants in pots close to each other and against the house during severe frost,” says botanist Rogier van Vugt of the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. This protects them against sudden frost. “Put non-winter hardy plants indoors in a place that is as cool as possible but frost-free,” says Vugt. “Then you prevent them from growing in an ugly way.”
Do you have an outside tap? Then make sure that it has run out and is properly closed, Vugt warns. “Frozen water expands and can burst both the tap and the pipes. This causes leakage.”
Snow can weigh heavily on branches of olive trees, palms and other vulnerable plants. “Carefully shake the snow off the branches so that they do not break,” says Vugt. Furthermore, leave leaves and woodpiles behind; Hedgehogs, insects and other animals hibernate there. “The garden sleeps in winter, let it rest.”
8Are the sleds sold out? No problem…
You’ve been driving quietly all week, waddling like a penguin through the snow to work and planting your garden plants nice and close to the house. The weekend is here, time for fun – but the store is out of sleds. Don’t worry: items from home can also serve as a sled. An old laundry basket, cardboard box and plastic Frisbee work wonders. Throw a garbage bag over it for extra gliding power and you’ll whiz down the slope.
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