“Maine is a very beautiful state, with different seasons. When you get used to them, you will enjoy all the seasons – summer, fall, spring, and even winter.” – Gashi

“I was very worried the first time I saw snow, asking myself if I was going to survive. Now I know what is ahead, and I know that soon I will be sitting at my bedroom window, enjoying that miracle from heaven.” – Rosamour

 “When many people who were born and raised in Maine think of winter, they envision fun – skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowball fights and, of course, Christmas. But for people who are from Africa – where snow may look nice on a TV screen, but temperatures range between 70 and 90 degrees, year round – winter is at best a scary adventure, and for many, a nightmare. When I first arrived in Portland, the first thing I heard was, ‘It’s really cold.’ I was terrified, but at the same time I could not wait to see snow with my own eyes. We called snow ‘the white stuff from the sky.’ You might be wondering how you can prepare for this change in seasons – or for this frightening, upcoming adventure. I assure those who arrived in Maine over the summer or early fall, and have never experienced the cold weather, that although winter might sound frightening, you will survive.” – Prudent Ndiho

Staying warm outside

When you go outside in cold weather, wear a hat and gloves because heat is lost quickly through your head and your hands and you can get frostbite if you get too cold. Frostbite is injury to the skin that happens with unprotected exposure to freezing temperatures. Winter hats and gloves and mittens help your body protect you against frostbite.

“In Maine you have to find enough layers of clothes to cover your body and protect it from the cold and snow. You have to wear heavy layers of clothes during the winter, in order to get enough heat to your body. And you have to turn on the heating system to stay warm.” – Gashi

“My first winter I didn’t know the importance of wearing gloves, a hat, and a coat! It’s important for newcomers to make sure they have all these things whenever they go outside in winter: Coat, boots, socks, gloves, hats.” – Jordan Shabani

Staying warm indoors

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Maine law requires that landlords provide adequate heat in winter. The heating system must be able to heat your space to at least 68 degrees. If it does not, talk to your landlord. If your landlord does not fix the problem, make a complaint in writing and keep a copy of your letter. Either hand the letter to your landlord, or send it certified mail, with a return receipt requested, so that you have written proof that they got it. If the landlord still does not fix the problem, contact your local code enforcement officer. Ask them to inspect your home and to send a notice to the landlord, telling them to fix the problem. If there is still no response, contact an attorney. Pine Tree Legal Services handles these issues. Don’t just withhold payment of rent unless you are prepared to move. Your landlord may be able to evict you if you don’t pay the rent. If you get an eviction notice, contact Pine Tree Legal (https://www.ptla.org/contact-us).

Note that space heaters can be helpful if used properly. However, if used improperly, they can cause burns and fires. Never leave a space heater on while you’re sleeping, and carefully follow the directions on the space heater. Keep children and pets away from space heaters. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, portable heaters, including electric space heaters, are involved in an average of 1,700 fires per year, resulting in an average of 70 deaths and 160 injuries annually.

But I’m still cold!

Many immigrants are not accustomed to winter, and even if your heat reaches 68 degrees indoors, you may find this level of heat inadequate for comfort. If this is true for you, learn to live like a Mainer. This means wearing layers of clothing, even indoors.

“Once my spouse went to pick our daughter up at school at dismissal. She was wearing jeans and a coat. She didn’t expect the cold to be as cruel as it was, and she (my spouse) was unable to leave the school to return home. She was saved by a neighbor, who gave her a ride. My advice is not to pretend like it is the same weather as in Africa. This is a special weather – wear appropriate clothing!” – Damascene Hakuzimana

During the day, many Mainers wear long underwear under their clothing, two shirts, and a wool sweater or fleece indoors. This may feel very bulky to you at first, but it’s better than being cold, and you will become used to this with time. At night, you will need warm pajamas, and layers of blankets or quilts. Flannel or fleece sheets and down comforters are all helpful when it comes to increasing comfort in bed. Many children sleep with pajamas that include feet. You can raise the level of heat in your home by checking for air leaks and placing rolled up towels at the bottom of windows and doors.

“You need to wear special clothing, such as a warm coat or jacket, long underwear to wear under your clothing, thick socks for your feet (sometimes you may want to wear two pairs of socks), a winter hat (for your head and ears – this is very important), gloves, a scarf, winter boots and maybe cleats for the bottoms of your sneakers or boots, in case of ice.” – Prudent Ndiho

Electricity and heat

Sometimes in Maine, electrical power is lost for a few days, and this can impact both lighting and heating systems, so keep a flashlight with extra batteries and extra blankets in your home. If your home gets too cold for comfort, go to a warming shelter.

“I come from Congo-Brazzaville, and it was not easy for me to face the winter at first. I felt like I was in a refrigerator or in some giant cooler filled with ice cubes. My hands were freezing all the time, no matter how many sweaters or other clothes I put on. And I also had trouble keeping my gloves and hat on for long. I found them cumbersome. But I had to keep them on, especially outside, because it was very, very, very cold. In the end, I seem to be adjusting to winter. My second one was not as bad as my first winter. And the good part is that I was emotionally warmed to see the snow, to touch it for the first time.” – Walongo

Snow removal

If you’re from a country without snow, the idea that a city regulates sidewalk snow removal is surprising. But most cities and some towns require residential owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property, and the same goes for business owners. There are fines for those who break the rules. Check with your town hall or your municipal website to find out the rules for your town or city – they each have their own rules.

Cars

If you have a car, you should not drive in the snow without special snow tires. Please remember that anyone who buys a car in Maine is required to purchase auto insurance. Drivers must have proof of insurance whenever they are on the road. Also, people must have a driver’s license to drive in Maine. Breaking these rules is serious and could cause legal trouble, including with immigration authorities. Consider taking a driving lesson to learn how to drive on snow and ice. Note that in very cold weather you should keep your gas tank at least half full, if possible, to make sure you do not run out of gas, and to avoid moisture in your gas tank.

“In the winter, drivers must be careful to prevent getting into an accident. Many cars slide or get stuck completely, if the driver doesn’t know what to do.” – Gashi