As temperatures drop, follow these tips to stay safe and warm this winter
Whether staying cozy inside or braving the elements, always keep safety in mind, writes Andrew Zvanitajs
Thestar.com
Jan. 19, 2022
Chief Andrew Zvanitajs
Canadian winters can be long and cold. While some people like to brave the elements, others hunker down inside. Either way, here are some winter fire safety tips everyone should know.
After a snowfall, there are several things you can do to help protect your family and assist the fire department.
Always clear away snow and ice from outside heating vents in your house. If a vent is blocked, carbon monoxide can build up inside the home, which can have deadly results.
Remove snow from in front of all doors, and make sure windows aren’t frozen shut, so you can easily make your escape in case of a fire.
In an emergency, every second matters. If there’s a fire hydrant near your home or business, shovel at least a one-metre radius around the hydrant with a path to the street, so firefighters can quickly locate the hydrant if it’s needed.
Keep cars off the street while snowplows are clearing the roads. This allows crews to carry out plowing operations safely, and keeps roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Many of the stormwater management ponds in Vaughan have frozen over. They may look safe to skate or play on; however, ice on these ponds is often thin, making them unsafe.
Water flow and levels are constantly changing and without warning. Therefore, the thickness of the ice is highly unpredictable, making it a serious safety hazard.
These ponds are not designed or intended for recreational use such as skating or sliding -- no activities on the ice are safe.
If you or someone else falls through ice, the Red Cross offers these tips.
- If you’re by yourself:
- Yell for help.
- Reach forward onto the broken ice without pushing down. Kick your legs to get yourself horizontal and crawl onto the ice.
- When you are back on the ice, move toward the shore by rolling or crawling on your stomach with your arms and legs spread out as far as possible to evenly distribute your weight. Do not stand up.
If you’re with others:
- Call 911.
- If you can reach the person from shore using a long pole or branch, lie down and extend the pole to the person.
- Going onto the ice to rescue someone is dangerous. If you go onto the ice, wear a life-jacket and use a long pole or branch to test the ice in front of you.
- When near the break, lie down to distribute your weight and slowly crawl forward.
- Remaining low, extend your emergency rescue device (pole, rope or branch) to the person and have them kick while you pull them out.
- Move the person back to shore and signal for help.
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