The same things that will melt ice on your front steps can also be used to keep your hands warm as you brave the elements. These handy pocket warmers take just a couple of minutes to put together, and for almost a penny a piece, they can quickly become a cold-weather habit.
When buying ice melt salt, make sure the label says it includes calcium chloride as an active ingredient (some alternative salts won't produce the chemical reaction needed to generate heat to warm your hands).
Place 1 cup of calcium chloride pellets in a sandwich-sized Ziploc brand bag.
Pour ½ cup of water into a sandwich-size bag (medium size). Get all the air out of the bag and seal.
Place the bag filled with water inside the bag filled with ice. Push air out of bag and seal. Make sure all seals are complete to prevent leaks when activated (double bagged, if desired).
When you head out to face the winter weather, squeeze the bag to break the inner bag of water and shake it up. The heat will kick in almost immediately and last for about half an hour. Keep it in your pocket to warm cold hands between pallets full of snow or while waiting for the bus that is always late on cold mornings.
