Safety procedures during winter storms or ice storms

Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, intense winds, and drifting snow can threaten individuals and property and interrupt activities or essential community services.

Ensure that you have sufficient:

• water and food;
• fuel;
• prescription medicines.

Keep an emergency kit in a backpack or tub that is easy to carry should you have to quickly leave your home.

Call those in proximity to you who live alone or have mobility problems to make sure of their well-being.

Be prepared to evacuate your home if the authorities ask you to do so. To find out how to prepare, consult the Evacuate your home page.

Put the following items in a readily accessible place:

• a flashlight and spare batteries;
• a battery-operated radio;
• candles;
• a fondue warmer and the recommended fuel;
• a cigarette lighter or matches;
• a warm blanket.

Charge cell phones and other electronic devices.

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

To find out more, please consult the Power outages page.

Follow the weather warnings in your region.

Find out about the current situation and the instructions in force by consulting your municipality’s website and social media accounts.

Listen to local radio and television stations.

Also follow Urgence Québec’s social media:

• Facebook : facebook.com/urgencequebec;  
• Instagram : instagram.com/urgencequebec_gouv.

Adopting the right communication habits is essential. Whether it be to issue a danger warning, reassure loved ones or post information on social media, every action taken during an emergency is significant.

Only travel when absolutely necessary if road conditions are difficult.

Before you set out, find out about road conditions and the weather warnings in effect by consulting the Québec 511 website or by calling 511.

If you are immobilized on the road during a storm:

• call 911;
• stay inside your vehicle, unless you are in danger;
• turn on your vehicle's hazard lights;
• use the car battery sparingly by alternating the use of lighting, heating and the radio;
• move your limbs to stimulate blood circulation and avoid falling asleep;
• be alert for symptoms of hypothermia.

If you must turn on the vehicle's engine to keep the cabin warm, follow the rules below to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Make sure that nothing is blocking the vehicle's exhaust pipe (snow, etc.);
• Crack the window on the side opposite to the wind before starting the engine;
• Allow the engine to run about 10 minutes every 30 minutes.

To protect your health from the risks associated with winter storms and freezing rain events, adopt the following preventive measures.

Never use indoors fuel-burning space heaters or lights, gas-powered generators, barbecues, or camping stoves.

Avoid running a car engine inside a garage, even if the garage door is open, or activating the remote starter when the car is parked in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space.

To obtain additional information, please consult the Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning page.

Be careful when walking. Use anti-skid devices such as boot crampons to avoid slipping on icy surfaces and injuring yourself.

Use the right technique to avoid injury when shovelling snow:

• spread your feet to the width of your shoulders;
• bend the knees while shovelling and use the thigh muscles;
• avoid twisting or rotating the trunk;
• avoid lifting the snow more than 1.3 m (4 feet).

Avoid shovelling after eating. A full stomach can exert pressure on the heart during intense physical activity. Take breaks to rest your muscles and heart.

The consequences of winter storms and freezing rain events can affect everyone. However, individuals are more vulnerable when:

• they display heart or cardiorespiratory problems;
• obesity and smoking predispose them to cardiac problems;
• they have reduced mobility;
• they display chronic health problems;
• they display mental health problems;
• homeless or isolated individuals lack personal resources.