ross&carolyn

I was having the same problem with the car and didn't even think about it being the climate well there you go i shall get some inch thick rubber gloves and use them to open the car door.

I too was starting to resemble a granola bar after arriving here in July and now slap on udder cream - made by a company with a sense of humour, sells in shoppers drug mart in moisturiser isle white tub with cow markings on it. tried lots of different ones but this is good and thick,sinks in well and smells good and doesn't irritate sensitive skin.

gooding

I get these shocks on vancouver island. Bought a new car, and was actually too frightened to close the door, as the shocks sent me leaping. I learnt to use my bag to close the door, but then if I entered a shop with metal doors it got me then!!

Edward de Par

Try an application of fabric softener on surface of gloves before leaving house. Keep some in a spray bottle and take it with you. Don't soak the gloves. This is bad. In dry times I put it on hands and around ankles and usually wool and fleece hats..anything thats got nylon in it. Seems to work!

NewCalgarian

Cheers for the replies and advice guys - was beginning to wonder if it was just me who was scared to close a car door - our cars have finger prints all over the windows were we have pushed the glass to close doors!

What I don't get is that The Weather Network said today that the Relative Humidity in Calgary was 93% - but I still feel as dry as a bone (& flaky)

Cadey

try wearing rubber shoes to insulate you from the ground, those anti static strips actually do work too.

Biiiiink

I admit I didn't pay much attention in physics class but shouldn't you *stop* wearing rubbersoled shoes if you want to stop shocks?

Cadey

I wear them all the time, never get a shock! or is that because of the pants?

NewCalgarian

I don't really know much about the physics side either. All I know is that when I take my fleece off (one of the ones you have to pull over your head), I crackle so loudly that you would think lightning was striking and thats with rubber soled shoes on!

CalgaryBlade

Try doing that in the dark, it's like your own version of "The Northern Lights"

Judy in Calgary

The upsides of living in a dry climate:

Downsides of living in a dry climate:

Consequences that can be regarded as advantages or disadvantages, depending on your point of view:

During my vegan phase my husband bought a sheepskin seat cover for his car. When he unpacked it from its wrapping, it didn't fit his car seat after all, and he offered it to me for my vehicle. I felt as if I was accepting soiled goods from an axe murderer, but thought that, since the poor sheep already was dead, I might as well use the wretched thing. Now that I stop to think about it, I think it does reduce the amount of static electricity -- over and above the fact that it's soft and makes the seat feel cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather.

Brodie

I get those bloody shocks all the time, must be my electric personality

coolboarder

I am no expert but doesnt the rubber stop the shock reaching earth, thus stopping you getting the shock. I think its when the shock travels right through you that you actualy feel it. Wearing rubber soles is like standing on a rubber mat and you are stopping the shock from grounding.

Not sure if thats right,,,probably just told you a load of tosh...

crazykanuck

Howdy All

I think this is really funny, being born and raised in Calgary, I rarely get any shocks at all, a really good humidifier in your home works well, the only problem I really have in the winter is my fingers tips crack and is very painful, but what you can do is at night I ware rubber gloves and good hand cream and they heal right up.

iaink

Correct...a load of old tosh. Whats happening is the difference in charge between yourself and your car is equalising. It doesnt really matter if its travelling to "ground" or not.

coolboarder

Oh well, you live and learn. Should have listened more at school.