Winter Safety

winter (Flyer) (1)
WINTER SAFETY WEBSITE IMAGES (1)

WINTER IS OFFICIALLY HERE

Here are some rules of thumb to help keep you safe this winter.

Drive with caution. 

Leave extra time to get to your destination. Turn on your headlights on, avoid high speeds and leave lots of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. 

Shovel your walkways or ask for help!

 As a Cochrane homeowner, you are responsible for shoveling your walkways to ensure that there are no slips and falls on your property. If you are unable to, reach out to a neighbour, friend or contact local companies to do the job.

Wear warm winter clothing. 

Dress in layers and have proper winter shoes or boots, hats, and gloves to help you stay warm, dry, and slip-free. 

Prepare an emergency kit. 

You never know when a winter storm may hit, whether you're out on the road or at home, it’s important to be prepared. Pack a bag with candles, water, blankets, matches, first aid kit and any other emergency supplies.

WINTER SAFETY WEBSITE IMAGES

NO ICE IS SAFE ICE 

Although it may be tempting to walk, skate or play on frozen bodies of water, think twice! Venturing on to frozen bodies of water puts your safety at risk. 

Ice-covered rivers, storm ponds and creeks are extremely dangerous. The surface may look solid, but changes underneath create unstable and unsafe conditions.

Be ice safe: 

  • Call 911 if you see someone on the ice.
  • Don’t put yourself at risk. Never go onto the ice to rescue people or pets. Call 911. 
  • Avoid frozen riverbanks as the water may be below the ice surface, causing you to slip and fall into the water. 
  • Only go on designated areas such as the Tim Banister rink and Mitford Pond. These ae tested and maintained by the Town of Cochrane.

Stay off & stay safe!

Dec 5 - week 5

SMOKE ALARMS & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES

Maintaining your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is an important part of keeping your home safe. Follow these rules when checking your alarms & detectors:

  •  Test your alarms/detectors once a month to ensure they are working.
  •  If devices are battery-operated, replace the batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall each year.
  •  Keep a close eye on the expiration dates and regularly test your alarms/detectors.
  •  Don’t ignore chirping alarms, they indicate that the device has a problem or an error.
  •  Practice your family home escape plan every month.


SNOW SHOVELING SAFETY

  1. SAFE SHOVELING
  2. HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURS
  3. NEED A HAND?

WINTER SAFETY WEBSITE IMAGES (4)

TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN SHOVELING

Clearing snow, ice and other debris off of your walkways can be taxing, especially in extra cold, snowy or icy conditions. Follow these tips to help reduce your risk of injury and stay safe.

  • Prepare your body for physical activity. Warm up properly by doing some light stretches before you head out.  
  • Wear boots or shoes with good treads. Minimize the risk of slipping by wearing appropriate shoes. 
  • Use proper body mechanics. If possible, push snow instead of listing it. When lifting snow, bend your knees and lift with your legs to avoid injury.
  • Use proper equipment. Make sure you are using the appropriate tools that work for you. Use a lightweight shovel with sharp blades o help lift snow.
  • Pace yourself. Take breaks, stretch and stay hydrated so you don’t over-extend yourself.

Safe shoveling!

DON'T LET SAFETY TAKE A HOLIDAY

  1. SEASONAL SET UP
  2. FIRE PLACE SAFE
  3. HOLIDAY KITCHEN SAFETY

TIS’ THE SEASON FOR SAFETY!HOLIDAY SAFE GRAPHICS (WEB)

 As we head into the holiday season, keep safety top-of-mind when setting up lights and seasonal decor. Although a fun and festive activity for the whole family, take necessary precautions to keep you and your family free of danger and your holiday season merry and bright. 

 Follow these tips for holiday safety set up:

  1. Inspect all cords for damaged insulation and outlets for loose plugs before using. 
  2. Replace broken bulbs with exposed filaments and make sure all extension cords and lights are CSA or ULC approved. 
  3. Use only outdoor-rated electrical cords and lights outside.
  4. Do not overload power outlets. Use a surge protector if multiple outlets are needed.
  5. Never run electrical cords and extension cords through or across doorways. 
  6. Always unplug lights before leaving your home or going to bed. BE WINTER SAFE (Instagram Post (Square))
  7. Use ladders that are the correct size and set at a proper angle for the job. 
  8. Always have someone hold the base of the ladder securely when climbing.  
  9. If you have a real tree, water it daily to avoid it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 
  10. Do not use candles on or near trees or other flammable decorations. 

Have a safe and happy holiday season!