Simone Smith
Did the groundhog see his shadow this year? I don’t even know if anyone has talked about it. Many of us are still trying to figure out how to navigate this pandemic, and if you live in the north, we are also battling the tail end of winter.
If you live in the north, you know that winter weather conditions can quickly become dangerous with little or no warning. According to Canada.ca, winter storms and excessive cold claim over 100 lives each year in this country. What is crazy is that this is more than the combined number of deaths caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and extreme heat and lightning each year.
This may not be well known, but Canada has one of the most severe winter climates of any country in the world. If you are in the Caribbean, be grateful that you do not have to experience the wide variety of dangerous weather conditions including: extreme cold, blizzards, and ice storms, and it is not only current weather conditions that can have serious consequences. It is also the rapid transitions between weather types or the long durations of any one type. The weather in this region can change in the blink of an eye, and nasty conditions can seem to go on forever.
For those who are dealing with these type of weather conditions, all you can do is make sure your family and home are safe from the dangerous or damaging effects of extreme cold and winter storms. Reliance Home Comfort has offered a few tips to help get you through the rest of this winter:
- Keep your children, the elderly, and pets safely indoors.
- If you do have to go outside, make sure you’re dressed warmly and that all exposed areas are protected from potential frostbite.
- Avoid driving, particularly if the weather calls for freezing rain, blowing snow or fog.
- If your pipes are prone to freezing, let your hot and cold faucets drip slightly overnight and open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks or on exterior walls.
- Set your thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. Never lower your heat below 15C if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time.
Make sure you have a plan for a power outage. A standby generator could be a great solution for you to keep your family safe, warm and connected. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about the different kinds of winter hazards you might encounter and how to plan for possible emergencies. You can visit Canada.ca, and search for “Be prepared for Winter Weather.”
