Top hacks to survive — and thrive — during Winter Storm Fern

Cold weather, hot tips.

With Winter Storm Fern set to bring heavy snow and bone-chilling temperatures to much of the country, experts are sharing advice on how to save money, stay safe and protect your possessions amid the potentially historic weather event.

Fern could impact as many as 220 Americans, with the Big Apple bracing for up to 12 inches of snow on Sunday.

High temps, low bills

With many hunkering down in their homes over the coming days, energy expert Matt Oberle told The Sun there’s a hack to help lower your heating bills.

“If you’ve got a large object, like a sofa, pressed against the radiator, you’re essentially blocking convective airflow,” Oberle explained.

Oberle shared the “12-inch rule,” saying it simply requires moving couches and other heavy furniture 12 inches away from your radiator. The small distance can have an outsized impact on the temperature of your home.

“You don’t need to redesign the entire room,” he explained. “Once the warm air has the space to rise and circulate freely, your thermostat won’t need to call for as much energy, which directly translates into lower bills.”

Don’t get iced out at work

Many workers are already wondering whether they’ll be able to stay home on Monday if predictions about the storm’s impact prove accurate.

Employers have a legal obligation to keep workers safe in cold weather, under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s General Duty Clause — but that doesn’t mean you can simply skip going to the office if temperatures are too frigid for your liking.

The clause closely pertains to motor carrier employees, who have “the right to refuse to drive when he or she is afraid for his or her safety,” according to employment law firm Robert A. Klinger Co.

“For the rest of the working population, the law is not quite as forgiving,” the firm’s website states. “If you commute to work, you cannot simply refuse to drive to work due to a fear of road conditions. Your employer must agree that the weather is too dangerous for driving. Otherwise, your employer has the right to fire or otherwise discipline you for not coming to work.”

Travel tips

If you do have to drive in the coming days, experts advise including — and removing — some items from your car

According to Newsbreak, e-cigarettes could cause particular problems in extremely icy temperatures, and should be taken out of your vehicle accordingly, even if you don’t plan to travel.

“Experts warn that one critical part of the device—the lithium-ion battery—should never be exposed to extreme temperatures,” the website states.

Meanwhile, medications left in extreme temperatures can become “unstable,” causing possible health issues, so it’s important to remove them prior to the storm.

And while leaving eggs, liquids and canned goods inside your car during Winter Storm Fern won’t pose direct danger, the experts say extreme cold causes such items to burst, making a serious mess.

Elsewhere, the National Weather Service has released an “Emergency Supply Kit For Your Car,” comprised of essential items to help mitigate disaster for drivers.

Jumper cables, ice scrapers, a flashlight and a first aid kit should all be added before heading out this weekend, per the Service.

They also advise bringing a phone charger, saying “could become a lifeline” for drivers should they get stuck in hazardous conditions.