<<< back to article list

Brace For Winter! How to Survive the Colder Months


Blog by Susan Brown | December 9th, 2014


Winters can be brutal, unpredictable and dangerous. To make sure that you and your cottage remain safe this season, here’s a quick round-up of tips from Environment Canada. In case of a blizzard or storm, you should definitely keep this in mind.

Basic Guidelines: Staying Warm

When it comes to surviving the winter, here are the basic guidelines you can follow to help you stay warm and avoid the risk of hypothermia and other health risks that come with being exposed to extremely cold temperatures for too long.

  • Suit up. You can start by wearing multiple layers of loose fitting clothing that will effectively trap your body heat while still allowing air to circulate. When going outside, make sure to wear water-repellant and tightly woven clothing to protect yourself from moisture.
  • Protect your head. A lot of body heat is expelled through the head, so wear scarves or hats to maintain body heat. Also, instead of wearing gloves, wear mittens – they are more effective at keeping your handswarm.
  • Protect extremities more prone to frostbite, namely: the mouth, neck, cheeks, ears, nose, hands and feet.

Be Proactive! Prep Your Home!

  • Have an emergency kit. Your emergency kit should contain the following items:
    • Battery powered flashlights + extra batteries
    • Ready-to-eat food
    • Bottles of Water
    • Emergency tools
    • First aid Kit
    • Blankets
    • Extra clothing
    • Toiletries
  • Prepare your transportation. Keep the gas tank full and make sure you have enough cash on hand in case ATMs break down in case of a power outage.
  • Stay updated. You can always tune in to Environment Canada’s Weatheradio service for the latest news and updates.

In the event of a blizzard

  • Stay home and wait for news updates.
  • If you must go outside, dress appropriately. Due to the strong winds, it is imperative that you tie yourself to your door or any object that is securely attached to your home so as to not get carried away by the wind.

Conserve your energy. Take your time when doing tasks. It is absolutely necessary to stay alert and awake in case of an emergency, especially during a blizzard.