Simi Valley winter survival tips

While it's unlikely that this week's below-30 degree temperatures mean the start of the next Ice Age, they do bring about a thought-provoking question: What if we had to deal with temperatures like these every winter like- dare we say it- the rest of the country?

Could we cope? Would it change our lives? Would it be reason enough to move?

Surely 10 months of sunny weather a year haven't made Southern Californians that soft, although the constant teethrattling, complaining, coffee purchasing, Weather Channel watching and thermostat adjusting this week points in that general direction.

Still, there's no question that the chaos which ensues when cold weather comes to town has a lot to do with a lack of experience. How, after all, can residents be expected to know how to react to freezing temperatures when they come around so infrequently?

So in the spirit of Mother Nature, El Niño and global climate change, here are some interesting tips on staying warm if Simi Valley ever goes the way of Siberia.

+ Ceiling fans aren't only for summer- A ceiling fan set on its lowest speed doesn't blow fast enough for air to blow past you and make you cooler, but it's fast enough to push down warm air that collects near the ceiling. Never forget: Hot air rises.

+ Reach for some water- As weird as it sounds, drinking a large glass of water, even an ice-cold one, helps a person stay warm. The body needs water to keep blood pumping and people tend to unknowingly become dehydrated in the winter.

+ Think the extremities- The biggest winter jacket in the world won't mean Jack Frost unless you've got your head, hands and feet covered. Reach for a second pair of socks and a stocking cap at home before you reach for the thermostat. And please, save the flip-flops for summer.

+ Toughen up- Hey, you live in Southern California, for goodness sake, so count your blessings. But when it's cold, try to be prepared, not irritated. Great weather is a gift, not a fact of life.

Let this week's cold temperatures be a lesson in that.