Prepare for extreme winter conditions

You can mitigate the risks associated with extreme winter conditions and bolster your resilience by taking certain preventive measures.

Be prepared to react quickly by having an up-to-date family emergency plan and a home emergency kit.

Register with the citizen alert service and follow your municipality’s social media to be informed of evacuation notices, safety instructions, and the services offered.

Download the applications of official organizations to receive all the necessary information during difficult weather conditions.

Ensure that your house is properly insulated.

Regularly monitor the roof during the winter to avoid accumulations of snow or ice. Keep exits clear.

If you own a wood-burning stove or a fireplace, stockpile fuel.

Follow the recommendations of the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec to protect pipes and water mains from freezing (in French only).

Use backup heating systems in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.

If you use a wood-burning appliance, ensure that the fireplace or stove is in good working order throughout the winter.

Ensure that snow does not obstruct the chimney outlet.

Install a carbon monoxide detector to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

To find out more, please consult the following pages.

To avoid surprises during the winter:

• before setting out, find out about road conditions by consulting the Québec 511 website or by calling 511;
• keep an emergency kit that includes an ice brush and scraper, windshield washer fluid, and a shovel in your vehicle;
• completely remove ice and snow from your vehicle before setting off;
• carry a sufficiently charged cell phone and sufficient water, food, blankets, and medicines in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

To obtain additional advice, please consult the Preparing your vehicle for winter driving page.