Essential tips to help you stay safe and ready for winter
Winter in Waterloo Region brings sloppy roads, tricky driving conditions and ice or snow storms that can lead to power outages. With winter weather already here, you can take proactive steps now to keep your family safe. From car maintenance to household emergency plans, being ready can make all the difference during harsh weather conditions.
Get your vehicle winter-ready
One of the first steps to prepare for winter is to switch your car’s tires to winter tires, which provide better traction on icy and snowy roads. Next, you should assemble an emergency car kit; it’s a vital tool that keeps you safe if you’re stuck on the roadside during bad weather or a breakdown. We recommend including the following items:
- Blanket
- Extra clothes and shoes
- First aid kit with seat belt cutter
- Small shovel, scraper, and snowbrush
- Wind-up flashlight
- Whistle
- Sand, salt, or non-clumping cat litter
- Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Warning light or road flares
- Hat and mitts
Having these essentials on hand can help you handle unexpected situations and stay safe during winter travel.
Preparing for power outages during severe weather
Sign up for local alerts, such as AlertWR, to receive real-time emergency information via phone, text, or email.
Heavy snow and high winds can often lead to power outages. But taking steps to prepare before these events will help you stay safe and comfortable:
- Assemble a household emergency kit with necessary supplies (learn more about what to put in your kit)
- Develop a household emergency plan, considering the needs of all members, including seniors, children, pets, and individuals with special health requirements
- Explore backup power options such as batteries or portable power banks
- Keep flashlights with batteries in accessible locations
- Maintain your gas tank at least half full or ensure your electric vehicle is charged
What to do during a power outage
If the lights go out, stay calm and follow these steps:
- Assess the situation: Is the outage limited to your home? Check your circuit breaker or fuse box
- Contact your utility provider to report the outage
- Stay informed through battery-powered or wind-up radios, official social media accounts, and local news
- Limit cellphone use to conserve battery life and enable power-saving settings
- Avoid unnecessary travel, as traffic lights may be out and roads unsafe
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting appliances to prevent electrical surges
- Once power is back on, turn on your heating system first, then reconnect your refrigerator and freezer, ensuring they are properly closed
- Avoid touching downed power lines and report them immediately to authorities
Staying safe and prepared
Winter weather can be unpredictable, but with proper planning and precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay informed, prepare your home and vehicle, and know what steps to take during emergencies to ensure a safe and warm winter season.
The Region of Waterloo’s Emergency Management team provides plans and partnerships to ensure our community has a coordinated response to emergencies and disasters.
P.S. The Region’s skilled snow plow operators are out on the roads during some of the worst conditions to make travel safer for everyone else. Meet one of our drivers and hear what her job is like!