Extreme Cold - How to be Prepared

Emergency preparedness helps protect you, your family, and your community by reducing stress and improving safety during unexpected events.

Understanding local hazards, making a household emergency plan, and knowing how to respond are key steps that help ensure the wellbeing of you and your loved ones.

Outdoor Safety and Health

• Limit Time Outside: If the temperature falls below –25°C, or if the wind chill is –28°C or greater, keep children indoors.
• Stay Active: Keep moving to generate body heat, but avoid excessive sweating, which can lead to rapid cooling.
• Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: Alcohol causes a false sense of warmth and speeds up heat loss, while caffeine causes dehydration.
• Check for Frostbite: Watch for white or grayish-yellow, firm, and waxy skin on fingers, toes, nose, or ears.
• Use the Buddy System: Do not work alone in extreme cold; have someone monitor you for signs of cold injury. 

Personal Protection and Clothing

• Layer Up: Wear three or more layers of clothing: a base layer (moisture-wicking), a middle layer (insulating), and an outer layer (waterproof and wind-resistant).
• Cover All Skin: Wear a hat (up to 40% of body heat is lost through the head), a scarf or face mask to protect the chin and lips, and goggles to protect eyes.
• Mittens Over Gloves: Mittens are warmer than gloves because they keep fingers together, reducing surface area exposure.
• Keep Dry: If clothes get wet, change immediately to prevent rapid heat loss.
• Avoid Tight Clothing: Clothes that are too tight can restrict blood circulation, increasing the risk of frostbite. 

At home

Make Snow Removal Easier

• Pre-Treat Surfaces: Pre-treat walkways, steps, and driveways with ice melt or sand.
• Snow Removal: Ensure easy access to shovel and snow blower. Shovel early and often. Heavy snow is harder once compacted.
• Use a large tarp on cars and / or stairs for easy removal; just slide it off. Lift car windshield wipers up so they do not freeze to the window.

Indoor Safety

• Use Heat Sources Safely: Never use a generator, BBQ grill, or propane heater indoors, as they produce carbon monoxide. Ensure you have working CO detectors.
• Insulate Your Home: Keep curtains closed at night, use blankets or towels to block drafts under doors, and seal windows.
• Prevent Frozen Pipes: Let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving and open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach pipes.
• Locate Main Water Shut Off: Know where your main water shut off is for your home and make sure its accessible. Considering placing water alarms under sinks, washing machines and behind toilets.
• Stay Warm: If the power goes out, limit movement to one room and wear layers. 

Prepare for Power Outages

• Keep Devices Charged: Fully charge phones, laptops, and extra battery packs, and flashlights.
• Locate Flashlights: Fully charge rechargeable flashlights and test battery operated flashlights. Keep extra batteries on hand.
• Test Generators: Test generators ahead of time and keep a supply of fuel on hand. Only use outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
• BBQs and Camp Stoves: Only use outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
• Fireplace or Woodstove: If you have a fireplace or woodstove, prepare it before the storm (ensure annual maintenance and regular cleaning) and check that you have enough firewood on hand.
  Food and Water: Stock a 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food, water, medication, pet, and baby supplies. Fill extra water bottles.
• Clothing and Blankets: Set out blankets and warm layers of clothing for easy access. Make sure to include hats and mittens.
• Cash: Keep cash on hand as many retail stores, restaurants and gas stations will only accept cash during a power outage.

Protect Against Ice & Carbon Monoxide Risks

• Exterior Vents: Clear snow from all exterior vents and exhaust pipes. Ensure a 2-foot clearance to prevent carbon monoxide risks.
• Gutters / Downspouts: Make sure gutters / downspouts can drain melting snow. 
• Vehicle Operations: Never idle cars in closed or snow-blocked spaces.

Vehicle Safety

• Keep Gas Tank Full: Maintain at least a half-full tank to prevent fuel lines from freezing and to keep the heater running if you get stuck.
• Emergency Kit: Stock your car with a blanket, extra clothes, food, water, a shovel, and sand or cat litter for traction.
• Avoid Unnecessary Travel: Avoid unnecessary travel when inclement weather is forecast or when conditions worsen.
• Stay with Your Car: If stranded, stay in the car out of the wind. Ensure your car exhaust pipe remains clear of snow blocked spaces to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Advance planning helps reduce stress, supports one another’s safety, and allows our community to weather winter storms with care.

Please stay safe, stay warm, and look out for neighbors who may need extra support.