Keeping Safe in the Winter
Be Ready
- Check the weather everyday
- On TV, smart phone, internet.
- Such as the weather network
- Weather will change within a day and everyday.
How the winter looks like
- Winter is long
- Winter is snowy and cold
- Air is dry in the winter
- How long?
- How cold?
- How snowy?
The Health Risks
- Common winter infections (cold,flu..)
- Frostbite
- Dry air need of hand cream, lip balm
- Seasonal depression
- Hypothermia
The Clothes
- Warm coat, boots, mittens (gloves), scarf, hat are essentials
- Have few layers so you can remove some as it warms up
Proper footwear
- Wear shoes with non-slip soles
- Wear shoes with low, wide heels
- Make sure your shoes/slippers fit well
- Winter boots
Transportation
- Sidewalks might be slippery
- Public transportation might be late and slow
- Be prepared (hand-warmer etc)
- Do not run
Winter driving
Driving can be difficult and stressful:
- Slow down
- Always clear snow before
- Avoid the highway if unsure
- Longer braking distance
- Short interval breaking
- Black ice
- Take time
For your vehicle,
Prepare for the winter
- Check tire treads/breaks
- Check headlights/signals
- Put on witner tires
- Tire pressures
- Fill up winter windshield washer
- AMA/CAA
Emergency vehicle kit
- water, first aid kit, gloves
- candles & matches, flashlight
- extra food, map
- blanket, change of cloths
- battery powered radio
- small knife/scissor
- small shovel, jumper cable, ropes
Around the house
- Clear your sidewalk, snow angel
- Parking and snow route
- Know where your electric panel is
- Know where your water shut off is
Preparing for the winter
- Furnace maintenance
- Duct cleaning
- Shovel/salt ready
- Shut off outside water – excess
- Tidying garden/hoses/equipment
- Winter windshield washer
- Check humidity/condensation on windows
Winter and young children
- Make sure they have warm clothes on (wait for bus, outside at recess..)
- Check their hands regularly
- Give them water or warm milk
- Check the temperature (Wind-chill)
- Pond/Lake safety
- Safe area for sledding/tobogganing
- Helmets
- Never alone
Fun winter activities
Winter can be fun!
- Ice skating (indoor, outdoor)
- Tobogganing
- Snow shoeing
- Ice fishing
- Skiing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing, snowmobile
Keep safe and happy
- Be ready
- Bundle up!
- Get outside
- Allow extra time to go around
- Embrace the winter
Resource
My Health Alberta – Government of Alberta
My Health Alberta website has vast amount of health information that is relevant to Alberta. Please visit the My Health Alberta webpage to find all the information. Some of the topics include:
Alberta Health Services – Fall prevention resources
Comprehensive resources around fall prevention and winter safety can be found on Alberta Health Services Fall Prevention page.
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Over the phone health information and health advise phone number, free 24/7. Interpretation avaliable.
Disclaimer: This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an “as is”, “where is” basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use. Last updated January 2024.