1. Don't wait for a particular storm to prepare for poor weather. Begin your preparations early in the season so that you're ready to react quickly when a winter storm is forecast. Assemble and check your existing emergency kits. Get in the habit of factoring the weather into your daily plans and be ready to cancel or reschedule plans.
2. Listen for Environment Canada's weather forecasts and warnings and pay close attention to changing weather conditions. Environment Canada weather forecasts are available through radio and television broadcasts, on weatheradio, recorded phone messages and web sites.
3. Travel safely. Give your car a winter tune-up in mid autumn and have your snow tires installed early to avoid being caught off guard by a late autumn snowstorm. Assemble a car emergency kit including basic items like high-energy snacks, a flashlight or road hazard light, new batteries, a blanket, and warm gel packs. Listen to weather forecasts early in the day to determine if there is the potential for severe weather in your area, or along your travel route. Check your provincial road reports before setting out on a trip.
4. Assemble a home emergency kit. Have a dedicated supply of bottled water and non-perishable or canned foods on hand in case you are unable to get to a store for a few days. Ensure you have a battery or crank-powered radio, flashlights, new batteries and propane to fuel a propane camping stove and/or barbecue for cooking and heating water. If you water supply is dependent upon electricity try to set up an alternate water source like a rain barrel or ensure you have a way to melt snow for non-drinking water needs. Do not use propane stoves and barbecues indoors and avoid using candles if at all possible as they can be extremely dangerous, particularly if you have children or pets.
5. Work and play safe. Winter storms and severe conditions like high wind chill values can be hazardous to you, your employees, children, or even pets. When you're working or playing outside beware of worsening conditions in the area around you. If conditions worsen get indoors as soon as possible. If you must be outside during inclement weather, dress to suit the weather. Wear a hat and dress in thin layers of loose-fitting clothing with water-repellent and wind-resistant outer layers. Watch carefully for symptoms signalling hypothermia: shivering, confusion and loss of muscular control. Frostbite can occur in minutes. Watch for numbness or whiteness in ears, nose, fingers, and toes.
6. Respect the potentially destructive power of the weather. When severe weather is forecast for your area, make preparations quickly, securing any outdoor property. Take cover inside and stay there until the storm has subsided and the danger has passed. Don't travel unless it's absolutely necessary and respect evacuation orders that local emergency responders may issue.
7. Remember that after-storm conditions can pose hazards too. Weather phenomena such as storm surges can wreak lasting havoc on infrastructure, leaving it vulnerable after a storm. Road conditions can remain hazardous too even after the storm has subsided. Take care as you resume normal life after a storm has stopped.

Related Links

• Preparing for Winter Power Failures.
• Preparing for Winter Travel Precautions.
• Winter Driving Tips
• Preparing for Storm Surges
• Be Prepared, Not Scared - Includes checklists for emergency kits.