Cold weather safety

Cold weather, winter storms and power outages can affect your health and safety. Some people may need extra help to stay warm and safe.

Who may need extra support?

Cold weather can be harder on you if you:

• Do not have a safe, warm place to stay.
• Have trouble paying for heat or electricity.
• Live in an area at risk of flooding or landslides.
• Live alone or have little support from others.
• Have trouble moving around.
• Use substances.
• Rely on electricity for medical equipment or to keep insulin cold.
• Spend a lot of time outdoors for work, recreation or travel.
• Have health conditions such as diabetes, nerve problems or diseases that affect blood flow.
• Take certain medicines, such as beta blockers.

How cold weather can affect your health

Cold and wet weather can cause serious health problems.

• Trench foot: Feet that stay cold and wet can develop tingling, burning or blisters. Get medical care.
• Frostbite: Skin may become numb, firm or waxy, or turn white, grey or yellow. Get medical care urgently.
• Hypothermia: Signs include shivering, clumsy movements, poor judgment and cold, pale or blue-grey skin. Hypothermia is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1. 

Read the Cold-related injuries and how to respond guide (PDF) to learn more.

Check current conditions and alerts

Check the weather, road conditions and emergency alerts before travelling or when severe weather is expected.

• WeatherCan app: Check forecasts, weather alerts and radar.
• Alertable: Get emergency alerts and community updates.
• DriveBC road conditions and events: Check road conditions and travel disruptions.

Find shelter and get support

If you need a warm, safe place to stay, these resources may help.

• EmergencyMapBC: Find emergency information and locations.
• B.C. Housing Emergency Shelter Program: Learn about emergency shelter services.
• B.C. Housing shelter map: Search for shelters.
• 211 British Columbia Shelter and Street Help Line: Find shelter and street services in the Lower Mainland and Victoria.
• B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres: Contact a local Friendship Centre to ask about cold weather supports.

Local shelter and support guides

These guides share information about shelters and other local services. They were created by external organizations, not Island Health.

• Duncan Street Survival Guide (PDF)
• Surviving in Nanaimo

Resources for community planners

These resources help community partners and local governments plan for the health effects of winter weather.

• Health impacts of the winter season: Information for community health partners and local governments (PDF)
• Public health recommendations to reduce the impacts of winter weather on people experiencing homelessness in B.C. (PDF)