Winter Tips

• Dress properly for the weather, including a hat, scarf, coat, gloves, socks and water-resistant shoes or boots
• Wear water-resistant and insulated shoes or boots to keep warm and to minimize the risk of slipping and falling
• Walk slowly and carefully
• Wear outer clothing that contrasts with snow if you're out walking at night
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare during the day
• Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going

Residents are encouraged to assist by ensuring the following:

• Cars over or near sidewalks, so that the path is clear for plowing and sanding equipment
• Clear the snow in front of your property as soon as possible after a winter storm to help improve the overall efficiency of the winter program and ensure the sidewalk is safe for all residents
• Subscribe for winter maintenance updates
• When shovelling your driveway or if you are using a private snow removal company, please pile snow on the lawn and not the roadway. This helps us to keep the roads accessible for Emergency Service response.
• Be patient - staff work as efficiently and safely as possible to ensure your roads, sidewalks and entranceways are clear
• Call Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8800 with questions about winter maintenance activities

• Please lend a helping hand by shovelling your sidewalk as soon as possible after a storm and if you can, help your neighbours with this, too.

During cold spells, some homeowners may experience difficulties with frozen water pipes and water meters. To help avoid freezing, here are some tips:

• Make sure that you have adequate heat (at least 15°C or 60°F) in your basement during the winter
• Disconnect garden hoses and close the inside line valve, to shut off the water to the outside hose bibs
• Use caulk or insulation to seal any leaks that allow cold air inside, especially in the areas near pipes
• Ensure hot water pipes are well-insulated - use foam pipe insulation, available from most hardware stores, on pipes near outside walls or in crawl spaces and attics
• If you're away, have someone check the house daily to ensure the heat is on and that no problems occur

• Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe (commonly adjacent to an exterior wall or where the water service enters the home through the foundation)
• Open the cold water tap closest to the frozen area of the pipe so that you can tell when the water begins to flow again
• Apply heat to the pipe using one of the following methods: electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, electric hair dryer or portable heater. Be sure not to direct heat on or near flammable materials, and never leave a temporary heat source unattended

• Plan ahead and give yourself extra time
• Remove all snow and ice from you vehicle
• Allow more distance for stopping in slippery conditions
• Drive according to the road and weather conditions
• Keep an emergency kit and booster cables in your vehicle
• Also consider keeping a bag of kitty litter in your trunk - it will provide traction if you're stuck
• Avoid using cruise control to maintain control of your vehicle
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated
• Don't drive if you don't have to

• Always keep a safe distance
• Avoid passing and if you must, only pass into a lane that is clear of snow and treated with salt or sand
• Avoid travelling beside plows because they can shift sideways after hitting snow packs or drifts
• Avoid braking suddenly in front of plows - they are heavy and cannot stop quickly
• Be aware that blowing snow and blind spots can obscure a plow driver's vision, making it difficult to see smaller vehicles

• If your power is out, make sure you turn off your oven/stove and unplug small appliances
• Never leave lit candles unattended
• Do not run fuel-fired appliances inside (propane and charcoal barbecues, generators, etc.)
• If your power is out, run your taps on low flow to keep water moving and help prevent your pipes from freezing
• Ensure your family knows how to get out of your home if there is an emergency

With information from the Toronto Humane Society's Animal Talk Fact Sheet

• When temperatures are chilly and the ground, damp, your pet needs a little extra care from you. Here are some points to remember this winter to keep your cat or dog healthy and protected from harsh weather conditions.
• If it's too cold for you to go outside, then it's too cold for your pet!
• Cats and dogs need protection from wet and cold both inside and outside your home. Cats should stay inside during the winter, as they are extremely vulnerable to snow, ice and extreme cold. The best way to protect your dog from the harsh elements is to keep him inside, except for supervised walks on a leash.
• If you need to bundle up, so does your pet! In very cold weather, put a warm coat on your short-haired dog and take short walks (only a few minutes).
• Long-haired dogs should not be outside for more than 20 minutes in very cold weather. They are just as susceptible to sudden temperature changes as you are.
• Animals can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is most common on your pet's paws. Symptoms of frostbite may not appear until a couple of days after exposure. Signs to watch for are swollen paws and your pet fussing over the area. If this happens, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately. On the way, wrap your pet in dry warm blankets and apply a warm (not hot) water bottle to the affected area.
• If your dog is outside with you a lot in the winter, he will need more calories to produce body heat, so increase the amount you feed him.
• If your pet gets very little exercise during the winter, decrease his calorie intake to avoid excess weight gain.
• Antifreeze tastes good to pets, but it's a deadly poison. Keep an eye out for antifreeze puddles. If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, rush him to your veterinarian immediately. The most likely source of the poison is a radiator drainage spot in a garage or parking area, which should be flushed with water immediately.
• When you're outside with your pet, watch out for chemicals used to melt snow on sidewalks - they can irritate your pet's paws. Always remember to wipe his paws with a wet cloth after an outing and remove the ice between his paw pads. If your dog's paws look sore or irritated, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly. You can also purchase commercial boots to protect his paws from the elements.
• Slap the hood of your car or honk the horn a few times before starting the engine on cold days to startle any animals sleeping under your car. Cats may crawl up under your car seeking shelter and warmth near the engine. They may become caught in the fan belt and suffer serious injury when someone starts the engine.