Winter Emergencies! How Prepared are You? Do You Have a Winter Survival Kit? An Emergency Plan?

November 3, 2019

1992

Canada is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and playful, enchanting wonderlands but when we experience an ice storm or get a tremendous amount of blowing and drifting snow, our security and safety are compromised. Winter storms can disrupt your electrical supply and play havoc in communicating with your family. Transportation systems can be down or operating at a snail's pace. Let's face it - everything changes.

If you are across town and unable to pick up your children after school, who will? What's your plan? Are your children aware of your plan? If there is a power failure during a winter storm and your home is heated with electricity, what will you do? The better prepared you are; the more security you can offer your family. Let's get started!

I highly recommend you create an Emergency Plan so that everyone in your family understands what to do in case of adverse situations. Being prepared is the key factor in reducing stress and anxiety and keeping your family safe. Here are some guidelines and safety tips.

Emergency Plan

It's a good idea to practice different scenarios and ask your children questions so that you can determine how much they understand and therefore, repeat and reinforce areas they had difficulty comprehending. If you do not have an Emergency Plan, please click on Emergency Management Ontario. Emergency Management websites for all remaining provinces and territories are listed at the end of this article.

Determine the method of communication that will be used with family members, i.e. text messaging, other social media or by telephone via land lines.

Calling locally could be difficult due to network and tower damage.

Select two out-of-town contacts you and your family can communicate with in order to connect and share information. Ensure that your children know how to text messages. Plan for each family member to call or text the same out-of-town contacts in the event of an emergency. If you are new to Canada and don't have out-of-town contacts, make arrangements through friends, cultural associations or local community organizations.

Maintain an updated list of emergency numbers and make sure all members of your family know where the list can be easily located. Teach your children when and how to dial 9-1-1 and other key numbers they may need to call. Consider including the telephone contacts listed below:

9-1-1 (where available)
Police
Fire
Parent contact numbers – work and cell
Family Doctor
Telehealth
Poison control
Family & friends who can lend support in a crisis
Insurance contact
Utility companies

Always keep your communication devices fully charged.

If you need to evacuate your home, select two safe locations such as a nearby library or community centre. The other location should be farther away, outside your neighbourhood, in case the emergency affects a larger expanse.

Plan how you will travel to the safe location if evacuation is required or advised. Have an emergency survival kit ready to take with you.

If you have pets, pre-arrange to have someone take care of them (a relative or friend, or pet boarding facility) in case of an emergency. Often, only service animals are allowed at public shelters.

Make sure everyone in your family knows how to exit your home safely, i. e. a main exit and a secondary exit should the first exit not be available. If you live in a high-rise and have special needs, talk to your building manager or neighbours to make arrangements in the event of an emergency.

Inquire at your workplace and your child’s school or daycare centre about their emergency plan and how family will be contacted should it be deemed necessary. Make sure you keep all relevant contact information up-to-date and ensure that people who are designated to attend your children are familiar with your emergency plan.

It's a good idea to find out what type of authorization the school and daycare centre require to release your children to a designated person, if you can't pick your children up yourself.

If your or your children have special needs, establish a personal support network of friends, relatives, health care providers, co-workers and neighbours who can assist you.

Be sure to include extra medication and supplies in your emergency kit including medical history, copies of prescriptions and information denoting key health-care contacts. You may not have access to a pharmacy during or immediately after an emergency has occurred. It is also a good idea to teach other people about any special needs, such as how to use medical equipment or administer medicine.

Be considerate and thoughtful. Think of your neighbours. Identify anyone who may need assistance during an emergency and discuss a plan with them and other neighbours. It's also a good idea to help them prepare a survival kit for themselves. Arrange with your neighbours to check in on that person during an emergency.

To learn more about emergency planning for disability and special needs, consult the guide for people with disabilities/special needs.

Emergency Survival Kit

Place your Emergency Survival Kit in a common place where it can be easily obtained by all members of your family.

The Emergency Survival Kit should contain everything you and your family require to remain self-sufficient for at least three days immediately following an emergency. Make sure your survival kit is easy to carry, for example, a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels. Here is a list of some essentials.

Food - non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items for 3 days such as canned foods that contain soups, stews, baked beans, pasta, meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, crackers and biscuits, honey, peanut butter, syrup, jam, salt and pepper, sugar, and instant tea and coffee.
Manual can opener and bottle opener
Bottled water (4 litres per person per day)
Medications
Flashlight and extra batteries
Radio - crank or battery
First-aid kit including instruction manual for emergencies
Candles and matches/lighter
Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
Important documents, i.e. identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.
Extra car keys and home keys
Cash and change for pay phones and to purchase other items
A whistle is very handy especially if you need to attract someone's attention
Zip-lock bags (to keep things dry)
Plastic garbage bags for personal sanitation
Knives, forks and spoons
Disposable cups and plates

Children & Animals

Diapers, formula, bottles and baby food
Comfort items, extra warm clothes and blankets
Prescriptions and medications
Medical supplies and equipment
Pet food and supplies

Other Items

Extra set of clothes and shoes for each family member
Sleeping bags and blankets
Personal items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, combs, toilet paper, etc.)
Playing cards, travel games, other activities for children
Safety gloves
Basic tools such as hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers and fasteners
Small fuel driven stove and fuel

Check List

ü Pack the contents of your kit in an easy-to-carry bag or a case on wheels.

ü Store your 'Emergency Survival Kit' in a place that is accessible to all members of your family, and ensure that everyone is aware of its location.

ü Your water supply should sustain your drinking water as well as food preparation, hygiene and dishwashing.

ü It is highly recommended that you check and refresh your 'Emergency Survival Kit' twice a year, i.e. when the clocks shift to and from daylight savings time.

ü Check all expiry dates and replace food and water with a fresh supply.

ü Check batteries and replace as required.

ü Keep your cell phone or mobile device fully charged.

ü Once a year, review your Emergency Plan with the entire family.

Car Emergency Survival Kit

If you have a car, prepare a smaller Emergency Kit comprised of the following suggested items. Don't wait for an emergency to happen - create your Emergency Kit now!

shovel, scraper and snowbrush
sand, salt or kitty litter
traction mats
tow rope and booster (jumper) cables
compass
cloth or roll of paper towels
warning light and road flares
whistle
extra clothing and footwear
emergency food pack, ie, energy bars & other food that won't spoil
water
axe or hatchet
road maps
matches and a 'survival' candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light)
fire extinguisher
flashlight that is wind up or battery powered
first-aid kit with seatbelt cutter
blanket (special "survival blankets are best)
list of emergency contact telephone numbers
antifreeze and windshield washer fluid

Power Failure Safety Tips

Turn the thermostat(s) down to minimum and turn off all appliances, electronic equipment and tools to prevent injury, damage to equipment and fire. Power can be restored more easily when the system is not overloaded.

Use proper candleholders. Never leave lit candles unattended.
Don’t use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment or home generators indoors.
Home generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage, but you should be aware of the hazards. To operate a generator safely, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and always:

Ensure that the generator is operated outdoors in well-ventilated conditions and away from doors or windows.
Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly rated cords approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Direct installation of a generator to an existing electrical system should only be done by a qualified technician.

Make sure your heating equipment and chimneys are cleaned and inspected once a year - especially before winter arrives.
Local radio and television stations offer weather reports and emergency information. Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have a reason to believe you are in danger. If they advise a specific travel route, please follow their instructions. If you are planning to leave your house, contact your out-of-town contacts and tell them where you are going along with your estimated time of arrival.
If possible, stay in doors. If you must go outside, dress in several layers and lightweight clothing to avoid serious winter related injuries. Mittens, gloves, hats and scarves are highly recommended.

Wear winter boots that are waterproof and well insulated so your feet will stay dry and warm. Boots with good tread on the soles will allow you to maintain your footing on ice and snow.
When shovelling snow avoid over exertion by taking frequent breaks.

Safety Tips for Infants

Infants lose body heat more easily than adults and as well, they can't make enough body heat by shivering.

Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room.
Provide warm clothing and blankets for infants and maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere.
In an emergency, you can keep your baby warm using your own body but if you take your baby in bed with you, please take precautions to prevent rolling on the baby.

You're stranded in your car during a winter storm! Do you know what to do?

Secure a cloth to your window as a signal to emergency crew and rescuers. Roll down a window, place a light, brightly coloured cloth (like a scarf) through the window and then roll up the window to clamp it in place. The item will flap around in the wind like a flag and draw attention to your stranded vehicle. In fact, you can stick a flag or sports banner outside your window.

Locate and move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger seating area.
Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets or newspapers.

Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.
If possible, run the car motor and heater for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to clear the air from a carbon monoxide build up.
Ensure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and stay warm.
Do not eat snow because it will lower your body temperature.

Whether you are an adult or child, the best clothing for cold weather includes:

Double layered hat that covers your ears
Scarf or knit mask that covers your face and mouth
Long sleeves that are snug at the wrist
Double layered mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
Water-resistant coat and shoes
Several layers of loose-fitting clothing

Ensure that the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven and preferably wind resistant to reduce the loss of body heat.

Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.

Wet clothing chills the body rapidly so in all circumstances try to stay dry.

Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.

Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing, fuelling your car or when using a snow blower. When these products get in contact with the skin, they greatly increase heat loss from the body.

Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a strong signal to return indoors.

After the Storm

Severe winter storms or any other type of emergency will affect your children in a number of ways. More than likely, they will be afraid that the event will reoccur and they will be separated from their family.

Comfort and reassure your children. Make them feel safe and secure.
Be honest about the situation but gentle in your delivery.
Encourage your children to talk about the emergency and to ask questions.
Give them tasks to do. Keep them occupied.
Keep your children with you at all times. During emergencies, family needs to stay together.

It's a good idea to keep a copy of your Emergency Plan in your car, at your office and with your Emergency Kit. Keep the original copy in your home where it is accessible by all members of your family.

If You Require Additional Information on Preparedness:

Please contact your local Red Cross Office at feedback@redcross.ca by email or visit www.redcross.ca on the Internet. For general information or to order self-help brochures, please contact:

Public Safety and Emergency

Preparedness Canada

Communications Division

340 Laurier Ave. West, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0P8

Telephone: (613) 991-2800

Toll-free: 1-800-830-3118

Fax: (613) 998-9589

E-mail: communications@psepc.gc.ca

Internet: www.psepc.gc.ca

Please contact your provincial/territorial Emergency Management Organization (EMO) for regional or local information on emergency preparedness.

Alberta
Alberta Emergency Management Agency
Telephone: (780) 422-9000 / Toll-free: 310-0000
www.aema.alberta.ca

British Columbia
Emergency Management BC
Telephone: (250) 952-4913 / Emergency: 1-800-663-3456
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc

Manitoba
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (204) 945-4772 / Toll-free: 1-888-267-8298
www.manitobaemo.ca

New Brunswick
New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (506) 453-2133 / Toll-free 24 Hour line: 1-800-561-4034

New Brunswick Public Safety

Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Fire and Emergency Services
Telephone: (709) 729-3703
https://www.gov.nl.ca/fes/

Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Emergency Management Organization
Telephone: (867) 873-7538 / 24 Hour line: (867) 920-2303
http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/en/services/emergency-preparedness

Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office
Telephone Toll-free 24 Hour line: 1-866-424-5620
www.gov.ns.ca/emo

Nunavut
Nunavut Emergency Management
Telephone: (867) 975-5403 / Toll-free 24 Hour line: 1-800-693-1666
https://www.gov.nu.ca/community-and-government-services/information/nunavut-emergency-management-0

Ontario
Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management
Telephone: (647) 329-1100 / Toll-free 24 Hour line: 1-800-565-1842
www.ontario.ca/beprepared

Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (902) 894-0385 / After hours: (902) 892-9365
www.peipublicsafety.ca

Quebec
Quebec – Ministère de la sécurité publique
Telephone (toll-free): 1-866-644-6826
General information (Services Québec): 1-877-644-4545
http://www.securitepublique.gouv.qc.ca/en.html

Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Emergency Management Organization
Telephone: (306) 787-9563
www.gr.gov.sk.ca

Yukon
Yukon Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (867) 667-5220
Toll free (within the Yukon): 1-800-661-0408
http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/protectiveservices/preparedyukon.html

Emergency Management for all Provinces and Territories

British Columbia - Emergency Management BC

Alberta - Emergency Management Alberta

Saskatchewan - Emergency Management Saskatchewan

Manitoba - Emergency Measures Organization (EMO)

Ontario - Emergency Management Ontario

Québec - Emergency Management Quebec

New Brunswick - Emergency Management New Brunswick

Nova Scotia - Emergency Management Office

Prince Edward Island - Emergency Management PEI

Newfoundland and Labrador - Emergency Measures Organization

Northwest Territories - Emergency Management Northwest Territories

Yukon - Emergency Measures Organization

Nunavut - Nunavut Emergency Management

Resources and References

For additional information, Diligencia Investigative Reporting recommends the following articles:

Diligencia Investigative Reporting - Frostbite and Hypothermia

Diligencia Investigative Reporting - Spring Thaw and Rising Water Levels: Safety Tips for Your Family

Ice Safety

Emergency Procedures for Infants and Toddlers

Emergency Management Ontario – Create your own Emergency Preparedness Action Plan for your family and obtain an extensive amount of information on diverse emergencies. This is an excellent website!

CDC – Emergency Hazard Awareness https://emergency.cdc.gov/situationawareness/naturalhazards/winterwx.asp