Winter Safety

 

Winter does not just bring snow and cold temperatures, it also brings enjoyable winter activities such as snowmobiling, sledding, ice fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, and fat biking.

By taking the right precautions, anyone can enjoy the winter wonderland that is the Canadian outdoors.

This page includes tips about safe operation of a snowmobile, how to make smart choices about ice safety, cold weather driving tips, and more.

 

Winter Safety Tips

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. Common sources of carbon monoxide include any fuel burning devices, such as your stove, furnace or water heater. As outside temperatures drop during the winter months, things start to heat up indoors. Winter is a peak time for carbon monoxide poisoning as more people start to utilize their fuel burning devices during cold weather. Learn how to help protect your home and family from an emergency with these simple carbon monoxide winter safety tips:

1. Never use generators indoors
In the event of a power outage, never use a generator indoors. Place the generator a safe distance from the home, at least 10-15 feet.

2. Inspect your fuel burning devices
Furnaces and other fuel-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide if they are not working properly or maintained. Make sure to have your devices inspected regularly by professionals to help protect your home and family.

3. Clean out your fireplace’s flue
Make sure to clean out or have your fireplace’s flue inspected before you light a fire. This will help prevent the flue from becoming clogged and prevent carbon monoxide from being trapped in your home.

4. Use kitchen vents anytime the stove is in use
The kitchen stove is among the most frequent sources of carbon monoxide in the home. To help eliminate the danger of overexposure, always run exhaust fans when cooking, especially during the holidays and winter season when stoves are left on for longer periods of time. Also, open a nearby window periodically when cooking to allow fresh air to circulate, and never use your stove to heat your home.

5. Install and test your carbon monoxide alarms
Your first line of defense against a CO emergency is early detection. Make sure to install CO alarms on every level of the home and in every bedroom. It is important to regularly test your detectors and replace them every 5 to 7 years.

A little preparation will ensure individuals and families stay safe during stormy, wintery conditions:

  • Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Dressing in layers, with a wind and water resistant outer layer, provides flexibility for changing conditions. Cover as much exposed skin as possible by wearing hats, scarves and gloves to avoid frostbite. Try to stay dry and change out of wet clothing as soon as possible.
  • Drink plenty of warm fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol. (They can limit bloodflow.)
  • Stay active to maintain body heat.

When a person is exposed to cold temperatures it may result in a decrease in body temperature, which is called a cold-related emergency. Hypothermia can happen to anyone who is exposed to cold temperatures for too long, and it can be life threatening. Signs of hypothermia:

  • Shivering
  • Numbness or weakness
  • Glassy stare
  • Apathy or impaired judgment
  • Loss of consciousness

What to do if someone has severe hypothermia:

  • Call 9-1-1.
  • Gently move the person to a warm place.
  • Monitor breathing and circulation.
  • Give rescue breathing and CPR if needed.
  • Remove any wet clothing and dry the person.
  • Warm the person slowly by wrapping in blankets or by putting dry clothing on the person.

No ice or body of water is ever entirely safe.

Anyone enjoying recreational activities near a body of water must make their personal safety a top priority. Remember to make smart, educated choices about ice/water safety, and it will keep both you and the responding emergency services personnel out of danger. The following are a few safety tips that can help keep you safe:

  • Know the condition of the ice before you go out and take into consideration the recent changes the weather may have had.
  • Never go out on the ice alone.
  • Tell someone your plans, where you are going and what time you are expected back.
  • Be prepared with an emergency kit.
  • Refer to the ice thickness card from the Canadian Life Saving Society.

Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity in the province. To operate a snowmobile, you must carry with you:

  • A valid driver’s licence, motorized snow vehicle operator’s licence (MSVOL) or a snowmobile driver’s licence from your home province, state or country. Note: if your driver’s licence or snow-vehicle operator’s licence has been suspended, you may not drive any type of vehicle on or off any roads or in any public place. Learn more about licensing, registration and other requirements to operate your snowmobile.
  • Proof of insurance
  • Snowmobile registration permit

Travelling on ice is risky and should be avoided. If you do plan to travel on ice, remember that conditions can change quickly. Wear a personal flotation device or floater snowmobile suit and carry ice picks that are easily accessible.

Before a trip

  • Get proper training by taking a snowmobile safety course.
  • Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to arrive.
  • Check the weather, trail and ice conditions before you leave.
  • Wear appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia.
  • Check the steering mechanism. Turn the handlebars back and forth to make sure the turning is smooth and unrestricted.
  • Check the condition and tension of the motor drive belt. Change it if necessary or if you are in doubt about its reliability.
  • Check the emergency switch, headlights and tail lights.
  • Check the battery solution level.
  • Check the throttle and brake levers. Make sure they move freely.
  • Check the spark plugs and the tank’s fuel level. Never add fuel when the motor is running. Keep your gas tank filled.

When you are riding

  • Drivers and passengers must wear an approved snowmobile helmet.
  • Always wear a face shield or goggles.
  • Stay on trails and use proper care and control.
  • Ride on the right-hand side of the trail.
  • Come to a complete stop before entering any roadway.
  • Obey signs and signals.
  • Slow down when on unfamiliar terrain.
  • Be extra cautious when crossing roads and railway tracks.
  • Never ride on private property without permission from the property owner.
  • Do not leave children unsupervised with youth snowmobiles or young children unattended in snowmobile sleds.

Whether it’s snow, sleet or ice, winter weather can cause extremely dangerous road conditions.

Cold weather driving tips

  • Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more.
  • Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.
  • Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
  • Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
  • Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow.

Tips for driving in the snow

  • Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
  • Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
  • Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
  • Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
  • Don’t stop if you can avoid it. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
  • Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
  • Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Emergency kit content list for your vehicle

  • Cell phone car chargers
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Reflective or warning triangles (put outside of the vehicle to signal a breakdown)
  • First aid kit
  • Drinking water and non-perishable food for travelers and pets
  • Traction aids (sand, salt, non-clumping cat litter, or traction mats)
  • Ice scraper or snow brush and shovel
  • Gloves, extra coats or sweatshirts, hats, and blankets, plus winter footwear

If you’re working outdoors this winter, be aware of the potential dangers and stay safe. Here are six tips for working safely in the cold:

  1. Dress for the weather in layers. Even if you think you’re only going to be outside for a few minutes, wear the proper outdoor clothing for the weather. Reduce sweating by wearing layers that can be removed.
  2. Avoid working alone. As much as possible, plan the work so that no one is out working alone. It’s difficult to recognize the symptoms of cold stress and hypothermia in yourself, so it’s important to have someone with you who can take action if needed. If someone is lying on the frozen ground in distress, their body temperature will drop quickly, so every minute counts.
  3. Wear high-visibility vests. Winter weather conditions can change drastically from one minute to the next. If you need to locate a worker who needs help, high-visibility vests will make them easier to find.
  4. Stretch and warm up your body before starting work.
  5. Monitor the weather. Avoid working in extreme weather, such as blizzards or freezing rain, when at all possible. Pay attention to the wind chill and factor it into your work plans for the day.
  6. Plan to do certain tasks in the warmer part of the day. Good planning will reduce your risk of cold stress and frostbite. Minimize outdoor exposure during the colder portions of the day. Instead, focus on other tasks that may allow for a warmer work environment.
  7. Get proper rest. Fatigue sets in more quickly when you are cold, so make sure you are well-rested. Plan to take regular breaks, if possible, and be sure to eat and drink frequently (but limit caffeine).