Cold weather is on its way! Here are some safety tips for you to practice so you are safe and better prepared for the winter season:
Minimize travel and time outside during the coldest parts of the day. If you go outside, be sure to dress warmly! Wear multiple thinner layers rather than one heavy layer and wear a hat and scarf! 40% of body heat is lost from the head.
Protect the three P's: PEOPLE, PETS, PIPES. Stay inside to stay warm, and that means bring your pets in too! Insulate the pipes in your home, if needed.
Put together a winter survival kit in your vehicle for emergencies and check your vehicle to make sure it's in good condition for the winter weather. That means to look over your tires, coolant, battery, etc. and make sure you have jumper cables and warm blanket at all times!
Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Some people are more susceptible to the cold, particularly children, the elderly and those with circulation problems. Read about the signs and symptoms to watch out for here.
Check on elderly relatives and neighbours to ensure they are warm enough and have sufficient supplies, particularly when the weather is cold or snowy. They might not feel comfortable going outside to shop and may require food, medications and other supplies.
If using an indoor fire, practice fireplace safety (make sure your fire is properly started, ventilated, and supervised) and take the time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. For more information on how to practice fire safety and to keep your indoor fireplace up to code, visit https://www.nfpa.org