How to protect yourself and others when the temperature drops

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Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) launched a new colour-coded weather alerts map to help you stay safe during severe weather. With this new webpage, all weather warnings, advisories, and watches are colour-coded to show you the level of risk in your region. 

Learn more about colour-coded weather alerts at Canada.ca/Weather-Alerts

Protect yourself outside

While outside or during your winter activities, keep these tips in mind:

• Wear a hat to prevent heat loss, and waterproof winter boots with good grip. Dress in layers. Mittens are better than gloves at keeping hands warm and dry.
• Pack an emergency kit in your vehicle if you’re doing a road trip or going into the backcountry.
• Plan to take indoor breaks away from the cold. And go inside to warm up if you see any signs of cold-related injury.
• During extreme weather head for shelter that will protect from cold, wind and snow/rain.
• Avoid too much activity and sweating.
• Stay dry if you can and change out of wet clothing into dry clothing as soon as possible. Drink plenty of water and eat nutrient rich foods at regular times.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
• Check in on those who are more vulnerable to the cold such as older adults, infants, and people who live or work outdoors for long periods of time.

Protect yourself indoors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the “silent killer” because it cannot be seen or smelled. Take steps to prevent CO exposure:

• Install CO detectors. Look for ones with a Canadian certification mark (e.g., CSA, cUL, ULC or cETL).   
• Never use outdoor generators or barbeques indoors.
• Ensure your furnace is working well and that vents are not blocked. Clear any ice or snow from outdoor vents.

Learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning and how you can prevent it.

Watch for those who are vulnerable

Keep an eye out for community members, especially our unhoused population, who may be underdressed for the weather and/or looking unwell. If you see someone experiencing severe cold injuries, start warming them up right away and dial 9-1-1, or take them to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Tips for warming up

• Move to warm room or shelter.
• Don’t fight shivering!  it’s your body naturally raising its temperature.
• And always seek help if you or someone seems very weak, confused, or unresponsive. Remove any wet clothing.
• Keep your muscles moving. Don’t fight shivering as it helps the body increase its core temperature.
• Gradually warm your body: wrap yourself in warm blankets, use skin-to-skin contact, and drink non-alcoholic warm, sweet liquids.
• Make sure to focus on warming your core first (your body’s trunk or abdomen).
• Wrap yourself in blankets or reheat your body by skin-to-skin contact with another person.

Exposure to cold weather can lead to injury or worse. Risk is especially high for people who are very young, seniors, the unhoused community or those who are not warmly dressed for the weather. 

Find out more about extreme cold, health risks and treatment from Health Canada.  

Injuries can happen in temperatures above freezing, as well as, below freezing.

When the temperature drops dangerously low, warming centres step in as a lifeline for people who don’t have a safe place indoors, especially overnight. Think of them as community spaces that open their doors during very low cold temperatures, offering warmth, shelter, and often simple comforts like hot drinks, blankets, or a place to rest. The goal is to keep people safe from the harsh winter weather and give them a chance to warm up when the cold outside becomes conducive to potential cold-related injury.

Warming centres may be opened for the public by First Nations and local governments in response to cold weather events. 

Temporary winter shelters and extreme weather response shelter spaces are funded by BC Housing and operated by community partners for people who are unhoused or underhoused. To find a shelter or warming space in your area, visit BC Housing’s emergency shelter listings.  

During cold weather events, emergency warming centres and general warming space locations may be listed on EmergencyMapBC.ca at the discretion of First Nations and local governments. If warming centres are not listed on the map in your area, contact your Band office or local government. 

If you’re concerned about a family member or neighbour, you can reach out to Home and Community Care Services at 1-800-707-8550.

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