How cold is it where you are?

[kuhio98]

Here's a photo of the some of the Arctic Gear we wear at work.



But, when I'm home, I just don't go outside unless it's absolutely necessary -- and I can always find an excuse where it isn't necessary.....

[phesina]

Here's a photo of the some of the Arctic Gear we wear at work.



But, when I'm home, I just don't go outside unless it's absolutely necessary -- and I can always find an excuse where it isn't necessary.....

Lisa, are you a firefighter? Police officer? Mail carrier? I can't really tell what the uniform is.

How on earth does that guy in the picture get by without even EARMUFFS?????

Lisa/Tamara, do you wear any face-covering?

[kuhio98]

Lisa, are you a firefighter? Police officer? Mail carrier? I can't really tell what the uniform is.

How on earth does that guy in the picture get by without even EARMUFFS?????

I suspect the photo of the guy was taken in a very warm studio by the clothing manufacturer. I just used it because it resembles the gear we put on when we work outside. It's not really a uniform. It is required clothing to keep from freezing as you go from one jobsite to another -- thankfully, I have an inside job so I don't often have to go outside. My job involves planning and scheduling maintenance and repairs on fire detection and fire suppression systems..... Think of thousands of smoke detectors similar to those we have in our houses, but add in gas detectors and fire extinguishers as tall as your house. All of that stuff has to be maintained on a strict, regulatory schedule. My job involves tracking the required maintenance and repairs.

And, we can't use cell phones outside (because of the cold) or inside any of the processing plants. You've seen those photos of people talking on their cell phones while pumping gas.... and the sometimes resulting explosion due to static electricity? Well, imagine taking a call while standing next to a 3-story tall tank of combustible fuel.... Besides, cell phone reception isn't very reliable up here.

[Alysser]

I am super curious about how you guys keep your cars running in the winter? Do they get used to it to?

It's been ranging from low 20's-low 30's all week here. Gross.

[Glacier]

I am super curious about how you guys keep your cars running in the winter? Do they get used to it to?
.

Block heaters, oil pan heaters and battery blankets....all electrical, plug the vehicle in at night and they keep it just warm enough to start in the morning. If it's below -15C all our vehicles get plugged in. Stuart drives a diesel and there are times when he just leaves it running 24/7! Where he works, it regularly gets to -50C. A diesel that isn't running in those temps, isn't running again until spring! I suspect where Lisa works there are vehicles that just don't get shut off all winter!

We are lucky to have a heated shop at home. My new car does not get parked outside if it's below -10C! I paid far too much for it(or rather owe far too much to the financing company) to leave it outside! Plus plugging a car in does nothing to avoid square tires! Literally, in these temps, tires get flat areas on them. It's like driving on square tires for the first 10 minutes! Parking inside is a hassle here(huge garage doors and at two 10 foot gates to open and close), but it's much easier on the vehicle and more comfortable in the morning!

[pomtzu]

Good grief Tamara. All the trouble you have to go thru protecting yourself, your vehicles, etc - seems like a whole lot of work - and not easy work at that. Now I know why you take so many warm climate vacations.

Do the pups have any heat source? I know they thrive in the cold, but when is it too cold even for them?

[Glacier]

Good grief Tamara. All the trouble you have to go thru protecting yourself, your vehicles, etc - seems like a whole lot of work - and not easy work at that. Now I know why you take so many warm climate vacations.

Do the pups have any heat source? I know they thrive in the cold, but when is it too cold even for them?

It's a ridiculous amount of work! I get to haul wood when I get home from work tonight! Oh, the fun! This super cold snap is supposed to break in a few days. -15C will feel balmy!

The dogs all have insulated dog house stuffed full of straw. They are quite toasty warm inside. Only four of the dogs sleep outside. Sundin & Reggae because the house terrifies them both! They could come in; they are both fine in the house, but they chose to stay outside. Raven has access to the shop. She can sleep inside there if she wants, but she has such a thick coat that after a couple hours she's over heating. Chase is allowed inside under direct supervision only as he is not cat safe. He can sleep in the shop if he wants to, but usually he curls up in a dog house. Pretty much everyone else sleeps inside every night, even in the summer!

I have two 16 year old dogs who are rarely outside in the winter at all. Hobo goes out if it's sunny, but Pingo rarely leaves the house! She pees and comes right back in. The ancient ones can basically do whatever they want! Tehya spent yesterday trying to get someone to play with her! She is impervious to cold!