Stay Warm, It’s Cold Outside
by Ronnie Neiman
After a rather warm snowfall last week, temperatures have dropped to -20 to -40 degrees Celsius. It looks rather nice outside until you actually get outside. The windchill is ridiculous and the winter wear I have been using for the winter is just not enough to block out the cold. Walking from my apartment to the university is a bit of a struggle with the drop in temperature.
Even for those walking from building to building on campus, be sure to bundle up warmly. Wear gloves or mittens and something to cover your face, such as a scarf and a toque.
Manitoba winters can be very cold and sometimes unpredictable. Exposure to colder temperatures can be a health concern. During the winter it's important to dress appropriately for weather conditions and to be prepared for weather events like winter storms and cold temperatures.
gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth - Some tips on staying warm
What can I do to protect myself and others?
Be prepared for cold weather
Have necessary safety items and supplies on hand at home or when you travel.
Check weather forecasts often and stay alert for weather watches and warnings.
Have a plan for power outages during the winter season. Manitoba Hydro has information on how to be prepared for power outages.
Keep an emergency kit at home in case of bad weather or a power outage. For more information on preparing an emergency kit, visit: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/index-en.aspx
Be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and who to call if you need help.
Make a plan in case of an emergency situation so that family members know how to contact each other.
Plan to regularly check on older or vulnerable neighbours or relatives to make sure that they have adequate food, clothing and heat during the colder months of the year. Contact people by phone or virtually where possible to reduce close contact and face-to-face interactions.
Prepare your home for winter weather by checking to make sure your home heating system is well maintained and working properly. Always keep your thermostat at 12 C (55 F) or higher, even if you are away. Temperatures lower than 12 C can result in frozen pipes. Many municipal websites have information on how to prevent your water pipes from freezing, even if you are unable to heat your home. Keeping walls and attics well insulated, using caulking and weather-stripping on doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering your windows with clear plastic can also help to keep the heat in your home.
Check road conditions before you go out by calling Manitoba Highways at 511 or visiting www.manitoba511.ca/en/
Winterize your vehicle by keeping your gas tank full, using winter tires and keeping a well-stocked winter safety kit in your car. For more information on preparing a winter car kit, visit: www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/sfttps/tp201012-en.aspx
Take action to stay warm
Take extra care while enjoying the outdoors during the winter. Dress in layers of warm, dry clothing. Wearing winter boots with good foot traction, a lined coat, mitts or gloves, a warm hat that covers your ears and scarf or neck warmer that can cover your nose will help keep you warm and protect exposed skin from frostbite.
Keep your home warm with a properly installed and maintained heat source. If you are unable to heat your home due to a power outage or other issue during the winter:
Dress in layers, as you would if you were outdoors.
Cover yourself with a blanket and put your feet up if you can. The air is colder near the floor.
Keep moving if you can. Try not to sit for more than an hour. Get up and walk around, make a hot drink. If walking is a problem try moving your arms and legs, while sitting or wiggling your fingers and toes.
Consider staying with a friend or family member if you can. Find out if your community has a plan for warming shelters and how they can be accessed.
Take precautions to stay safe
Enjoy the outdoors, but don’t overdo it. Older adults and very young children should avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.
Pay attention to your body. Be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and don’t ignore shivering. It is the first sign the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to seek warmth.
Be cautious of snow and ice while walking to avoid falls. Consider using sand or an ice-melter (deicer) on walkways around your home to avoid slippery conditions.
Be fire safe. Never leave a fire or portable heat source unattended, check your smoke alarms regularly, and have a fire extinguisher nearby if possible. Never use your range or oven to heat your home, and make sure you only use the recommended type of fuel for portable heaters, as using the wrong fuel can cause an explosion. Avoid burning paper, green wood or pine branches, as kindling can float up and cause a roof to catch fire.
Take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Have a properly installed carbon monoxide detector in your home and make sure to properly maintain any fuel burning equipment such as furnaces, water heaters, boilers, stoves and other appliances that run on fuels such as wood, oil, propane or natural gas. For more information on carbon monoxide and steps you can take to protect yourself and others please see Carbon Monoxide and Other Gases.
Avoid driving or traveling by car in bad weather or when roads are very slippery.
Stick to an approved path when participating in outdoor activities. This will help to avoid unsafe areas, such as thin ice, or other hazards. Outdoor activities may be restricted under COVID-19.
When enjoying winter activities during the pandemic, it is very important to continue to maintain proper social distancing ( two metres/six feet) between people and be prepared to cover your nose and mouth if necessary. Carrying hand sanitizer is also advisable.
With winter activities it is often good to have a buddy with you because, in an emergency, another person can offer immediate assistance.
Avoid consuming alcohol before going out in the cold. Alcohol can increase your risk of hypothermia because it increases blood flow to the extremities of the body. You may actually feel warm even though you are losing heat.
Never leave infants and young children unattended, and make sure they are dressed for weather conditions.
Bring house pets inside during extreme cold conditions. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.