Tips to stay protected from the dropping temperatures this winter

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Review the Government of BC's information on preparing for winter weather. 

It is important to know about different resources that are available. If you, or someone you know, needs to find shelter from the outside conditions, you can access services through your community municipality. Check out the BC Housing shelter locations or view the BC Emergency information interactive map. 

While preparing to go out and about, or during your winter activities, you may want to keep these tips in mind. 

• Bring an emergency kit if you are going into the backcountry so you're prepared for conditions.
• During extreme weather head for shelter that will protect from cold, wind and snow/rain.
• Avoid too much activity and sweating.
• Avoid touching metal.
• Eat and drink water.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
• Wear proper clothing and keep hands and feet dry. Mittens are better than gloves at keeping hands warm and dry.
• Wear glasses or goggles during outdoor activities.

Watch for those who are vulnerable. Keep an eye out for community members, especially the 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. 

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. 
The main cold injuries include:

• Frostbite
• Hypothermia

Watch for those who are vulnerable, especially the unhoused population. Keep an eye out for community members who may ne under dressed for the weather and/or looking unwell.  

Frostbite
Frostbite is when your body is exposed to the cold for a long period of time, restricting blood flow to your hands, feet, nose, and ears. 
Symptoms of frostbite

• Skin can look yellowish or white, but it is still soft to the touch.
• In severe cases, skin may be more discolored or turning black. 
• You may experience loss of sensation and see blistering.  

Hypothermia
Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature.
Symptoms of hypothermia

• Decreased body temperature 
• Shivering
• Clumsy movements or speech
• Lack of concern
• Poor judgement
• Cold, pale or blue-grey skin
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness 

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing frostbite or hypothermia it is important to warm up quickly and effectively. Here are some ways to increase your body temperature. 

• Keep your muscles moving.
• Remove any wet clothing.
• Warm the center of the body first.
• Drink warm beverages.
• Move to a warm room.
• Wrap yourself in blankets or reheat your body by skin-to-skin contact with another person. 
• Don't fight shivering, this is one of the ways your body increases its core temperature.

Learn more at the Interior Health Cold Weather webpage. 

Preparation to cold weather

• BC Gov news | People encouraged to prepare for winter weather
• PreparedBC – Severe Weather Checklist 
• RoadSafetyBC – Preparing Your Vehicle  
• Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness

Health and cold related injuries

• Your health this winter | HealthLinkBC
• Cold Temperature Exposure | HealthLink BC
• Health Canada – Health Risks of Extreme Cold  

Shelters

• BC Housing shelters: Home Page - BcHousing Shelter 
• Weather response shelters opening for winter season | BC Gov News 
• Provincial map: EmergencyMapBC (arcgis.com)
• United Way BC211 shelter and street help line