How to stay safe during an emergency

If a flood, fire, hazardous materials spill or another emergency poses a potential threat to your safety, health or property, local authorities will directly notify you to evacuate as long as it is safe to do so. 

When evacuation instructions are issued, stay calm, pay attention to instructions from first responders and/or local officials carried over social media or broadcast media such as television or radio. Make sure:

• The evacuation instructions apply to you 
• If you should evacuate immediately, or if you have time to pack some essentials not already in your emergency go-bag

It is important to follow all instructions.

General guidelines:

• Try to seek shelter with friends or relatives located outside of the affected area, when possible
• If you are not able to stay with other family or close friends outside of the evacuation area, you will be directed to the nearest reception centre or emergency shelter which could be a community centre, school or hotel 

When leaving home:

• Take your pets, a pet go-bag and your own emergency go-bag
• If you are unable to take your pet with you when evacuating, tape this pet record inside your window 
• If instructed by local officials to do so, turn off power and water to your home
• Close and lock your windows and doors
• If safe to do so, leave a note taped to your door informing others when you left and where you went
• Follow the route authorities recommend; don’t take shortcuts to the reception centre or shelter, as they may be blocked or expose you to dangerous hazards
• If you need a ride, ask a neighbour or check with your local municipality as it may be providing transportation (buses)
• If safe to do so, check on your vulnerable neighbours to:
  • Make sure they are aware of the situation
  • Check if they need your help with any special needs or from emergency responders

If you are evacuated to a reception centre, you will be asked to register so you can be contacted and reunited with your family and loved ones if they cannot contact you directly.

Any time you are instructed or required to stay indoors because of an emergency situation you are sheltering in place. Sheltering in place may be short-term, such as going to a safe room while a tornado warning is in effect, or if there is a release of hazardous materials in the area near your building. It may also be long-term, requiring you to stay in your home for several days without electricity following a severe storm.

Actions required to shelter in place depend on the emergency you are facing. Here are the common steps: 

• Bring your family and pets inside 
• Lock doors, close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers
• Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems
• Go into an interior room with few or no windows, if possible 
• Take your 72-hour emergency kit unless you think it has been contaminated
• You may be asked to seal your windows if there has been a release of hazardous materials

Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

Driving during floods

• Only follow routes specified by authorities; don’t take shortcuts that could be dangerous
• You may encounter closed roads; never drive around barricades due to washed out roads or those that are water-covered
• If caught in fast rising waters and your car stalls, leave it and save yourself and your passengers
• Shortly after a power outage, stop signs may be temporarily placed at designated traffic light intersections
• Stop signs override the four-way stop rule and create a two-way stop instead

When a hazardous materials release occurs, follow these tips to stay safe and secure:

Be aware of hazardous smoke, fumes or vapor clouds:

• If you witness (or smell) a hazardous materials accident, call 9-1-1 and report it
• Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing adverse health symptoms
• Move away (up wind) from the incident site to minimize the risk of exposure or contamination
• Follow instructions from emergency first responders through social media and other local news sources; you may be asked to evacuate the area or shelter in place until it is safe to go outside
• Monitor radio or television news for updates and instructions

If indoors – seal the space

• If you are in a building, bring your family and pets inside
• Go into a shelter room above ground with the fewest openings to the outside
• Do not bring outside air inside:
  • Close all windows and doors, and turn off the furnace and/or air conditioner 
  • Shut off all vents and close fireplace dampers 
  • In large buildings, set ventilation systems to 100% re-circulation so no outside air is drawn into the building: if not possible, turn off the system

If outdoors:

• Move upstream/upwind/uphill as hazardous fumes and gases are generally heavier than air
• Get as far away as you can from the danger area
• Do not approach or touch any spilled liquids, airborne mists or solid chemicals
• Try not to inhale gases, fumes and smoke; cover your mouth with a cloth
• Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified
• Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may be contaminated

If outdoors – in a vehicle:

• Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building, if possible
• If that is not possible, stay in your vehicle
• Keep windows and vents closed and shut off the air conditioner or heater

There are no active nuclear power plants located within York Region. However, if you received an  Alert Ready text, a message through the telephone alerting system or hear warning sirens for a nuclear emergency occurring near you, tune into local radio and television stations and social media for the Province of Ontario’s emergency bulletins. These bulletins will:

• Identify if a concern exists and where it is happening
• Advise on precautionary and protective measures
• Announce when the emergency is over

Be prepared to take the following steps if instructed:

• Evacuate your home or remain indoors to minimize exposure to the radiation source. 
  • If you are advised to evacuate, keep car windows and vents closed; use re-circulating air
  • If remaining indoors, turn off the air conditioner, ventilation fans, fireplace dampers, gas stoves, furnace and other air intakes. Shield yourself by placing heavy, dense material between you and the radiation source. Go to a basement or other underground area, if possible
• Stay out of the incident zone; most radiation loses its strength fairly quickly

When power outages occur, follow these tips to stay safe and secure:

• Refer to your hydro provider’s website or social media for current outage information and power restoration timelines; York Region hydro providers include Alectra, Hydro One and Newmarket Tay Power (NT Power)
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
  • NEVER use outdoor grills, smokers or barbecues indoors to cook or as a source of heat – they are a fire hazard, and they release deadly carbon monoxide gas
  • NEVER operate any fuel burning equipment (including generators) inside your home, basement, garage or other enclosed area (they release deadly carbon monoxide gas)
  • Shut off the gas going to your gas fireplace, if it is power vented, to prevent any gas from burning
  • If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using gas powered equipment, turn off the item immediately, get to fresh air right away and seek medical attention
  • If you smell unusual odours such as gasoline, natural gas or propane, immediately leave the property and call your local gas company and fire department
• If you are on private drinking water, use an alternative source of potable water (commercially bottled water) 

Food safety

If the door is kept closed as much as possible, a fridge without electrical power will keep food cool for four to six hours. Ice can also help keep the fridge’s contents cool. A full upright or chest freezer will keep contents frozen for approximately two days. A freezer that is half-full will keep food frozen for one day. Avoid opening and closing the freezer door as food will last longer when the freezer door is closed.

• Make sure raw meat, poultry or fish are wrapped very well and placed in the coldest section of your refrigerator
• Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but it will remain safe to eat
• Discard food items that have come into contact with raw meat juices
• If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while they are still at safe temperatures, it is important that each item is thoroughly cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to ensure that any foodborne bacteria are destroyed
• If raw food has leaked during thawing, clean and disinfect the areas the food has touched; do not reuse the cloths you have used for clean-up until they have been disinfected by washing in hot water
• Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and leftovers) after four hours without power or a cold source like dry ice. Throw out any food with an unusual odour, colour or texture. 
• When in doubt, throw it out!

Other tips

• Only use camping equipment outdoors and be sure to store fuels safely
• Turn off appliances not required (electric range and washer/dryer), as appliances left on during an outage will start up when electricity is restored
• If using candles for heat and light, only use safe candle holders and never leave burning candles unattended
• Power outages can leave homes without heat or air conditioning; take steps to protect against extreme heat (close blinds and curtains to reduce the heat coming into your home, drink plenty of cool water) and extreme cold (make sure your head, face, ears, neck, hands and feet are well protected, drink plenty of warm fluids)
• Power outages caused by flooding can lead to electrical shocks or electrocution; stay safe by staying out of floodwaters as much as possible, wear rubber boots, shut off power in flooded areas at the breaker box and notify your power company

Portable generator safety:

• ALWAYS read the owner’s manual before operating
• Keep your generator outdoors and away from doors and windows, vents and air conditioning units
• Use a proper rated extension cord (in good condition)
• NEVER add fuel while a generator is hot or running (fire hazard)
• NEVER connect a generator to a wall outlet or electric circuit panel unless a qualified electrician has wired your home for a generator
• When power is restored, only turn on what you need to give the system a chance to stabilize 

Driving during a power outage (four-way stops):

• A traffic light intersection becomes a four-way stop when signal lights are not working
• The first vehicle to arrive and stop has the right-of-way
• If two or more vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way and can proceed through the intersection first
• A flashing red light means you must stop and proceed when clear; be careful as cross-traffic may have a flashing amber light which does not require vehicles to come to a full stop
• Temporary stop signs may be placed at a traffic light intersection and override the four-way stop rule creating a two-way stop instead

If outside:

• Stay away from trees, telephone poles, wires, fences or anything metal
• Seek a low-lying area and don’t stand near anything made of metal

If indoors:

• Stay away from appliances or equipment that conduct electricity including sinks, tubs and showers 
• Avoid using a telephone that is connected to a landline

If driving or boating:

• Do not park under tall objects that could topple
• Do not stop or exit vehicle if there are power lines down nearby
• If in a boat, get to shore and find shelter

If outside:

• Take shelter immediately (never wait until you see a tornado)
• Don’t go under an overpass or bridge; you’re safer in an open flat area
• If you cannot find shelter, lie flat in a ditch and cover your head with your hands
• Get as close to the ground as possible and watch for flying debris (small objects become lethal weapons when carried by tornado winds)
• If you are driving and see a tornado, get to a nearby shelter or travel away from the tornado
• Do not use your car as a shelter; debris may come through the windows or the vehicle may be lifted away

If indoors:

• Stay tuned to your local weather station for updated information
• Go to your basement, cold cellar or take shelter in a small interior windowless ground floor room (such as a bathroom, closet or hallway)
• Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside
• Shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck 

If at the office or apartment building:

• Take shelter in an inner hallway or room (ideally in the basement) or ground floor
• Do not use the elevator and stay away from windows
• Avoid large rooms that are not supported in the middle such as gymnasiums, churches and auditoriums

Driving during winter weather:

• Have an emergency car kit
• If travelling, do so during the day; let someone know your route, departure and estimated arrival time
• Keep your gas tank almost full and always have windshield washer fluid more than half-full
• Use gas line anti-freezein extreme cold weather events
• Have a charged cell phone in your car in case you must call for help
• If your car is stuck:
  • Remain calm and stay in your car
  • Keep fresh air in your car by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side, away from the wind
  • Run the car engine about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust system is not obstructed (potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes have no smell)
  • Keep moving, exercise hands and feet periodically
  • Avoid falling asleep
  • Keep watch for traffic or searchers

At home - fireplace or woodstove safety

• Keep combustibles away from fireplaces and handle hot ashes with care
• Inspect walls for excessive heat during prolonged usage
• Watch for smoke coming into the room due to a damper issue or chimney blockage
• Ensure dampers and chimneys are clean and in good working order; older homes are often at risk of chimney fires if there is creosote buildup in the chimney

Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Many factors play a role in how our bodies react to the cold. These include environmental factors such as temperature, wind and sun, as well as individual factors such as age, physical condition, clothing and level of activity. If you are outdoors during a winter storm or extreme cold, dress warmly in layers, stay active to maintain body heat and avoid exposing your skin to the cold as much as possible. Before going out in the cold, check local forecasts for temperatures and weather warnings. 

Frostbite mostly impacts areas where circulation is poorer, such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. Warning signs of frostbite include affected areas turning reddish in colour, followed by a stinging or aching feeling. Affected areas may also turn white or waxy prior to becoming numb. 

To treat someone with frostbite:

Do

• Remove the person from the cold
• Remove any wet clothing
• Wrap them in a blanket
• Rewarm affected areas with body heat
• Call 911 for severe frostbite or frostbite over large areas of the body and watch for signs of hypothermia

Do Not

• Rub or massage the affected area as this may cause damage to the tissue
• Use heating pads or blankets as affected areas may be numb and could get burned
• Re-warm if a person will be exposed to the cold again and there is a chance for re-freezing

Hypothermia, or low body temperature, is the result of exposure to cold conditions. Hypothermia is the most serious cold weather injury which can lead to brain damage and even death. Hypothermia usually occurs in extremely cold temperatures but can also occur at more moderate temperatures if a person loses heat due to exposure or submersion in water. Signs of hypothermia include increased shivering, slurred speech, impaired judgement and poor muscle co-ordination. For infants, look for cold reddish skin and low energy.

To treat a person with hypothermia:

Do

• Move them to a warm room and call 911

• Handle gently

• Remove any wet clothing

• Begin gentle body re-warming by using:

  • Warm and dry blankets or clothing

  • Skin to skin contact

Do Not

• Take a shower or hot bath

• Use heating devices, such as blankets or pads

• Give hot drinks

For more visit york.ca/extremecold