Weathering a Winter Storm

What kind of Canadian winter would it be without a big snow storm! While these storms are a favourite for lovers of winter sports, they can also cause extreme disruption to travel, infrastructure, and day-to-day life. Remember that in serious emergencies, local governments expect households to be able to sustain themselves without assistance for at least 72 hours. If your local forecast has a winter storm on the horizon, take some time to consider how to best prepare. Many of the leading Canadian insurers offer suggestions about winter safety and how to avoid damage to your home and property, including the following by Travelers Canada:

Check Your Supplies

• Make sure you have a snow shovel and some supplies for melting ice to keep your walkways and driveways clear and safe
• Depending on how you heat your home, ensure you have a sufficient supply of heating fuel and fuel for your generator, if you have one.
• If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, keep a supply of dry, seasoned wood in a place well clear of the fire itself.
• Have warm clothing and blankets on hand, and stock up on non-perishable food items and necessary medications to last you and your family at least three days.

Prepare for Power Outages 

• If you think the coming storm may cause a power outage, turn your heat up now and close off any rooms not in use.
• Check pipe insulation in your home. If you lose power, run the water at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Charge any battery-powered electronic and communication devices.
• Keep a battery-powered radio on hand to stay aware of any change to the weather conditions.
• Put your flashlights, batteries, first aid kit and other emergency supplies in a easy to find location.

Stay Warm and Safe

• If you are going to rely on a fireplace or wood-burning stove, follow all regular safety precautions and visit our post about keeping your wood-burning stove and chimney in good working order.
• Do not use an oven, range, or BBQ as a home heating device.
• If you have a generator, only use it outside where there is sufficient ventilation.
• Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work properly.
• Do not let candles burn unattended, and keep them away from any combustibles. Battery-powered LED lights are a safe, energy efficient alternative to candles.
• If your roof has an ice dam prevention system, turn it on before the snow falls.

Stay Inside and Safe

• Drive only if you absolutely must, and be sure your car has four snow tires, adequate fuel and an emergency supply kit.
• If you go outside to shovel snow, know your limits and don’t overtax yourself.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing layers of warm, loose fitting lightweight clothing.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Keep your pets inside or make other suitable arrangements for them.