Prepare your Vehicle(s)

Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks.

• Keep fuel  level at half or above.

• Check your spare tire (including inflation) and know how to use the car jack.

• Be sure you have water for 2-3 days in your vehicle (for each person and pet).

• Keep  blankets and an extra sweater or jacket and gloves in your trunk.

• Check that your flashlights are operational and be sure you have extra batteries.

• Keep a "GO Kit" for each member of your family, including all pets, in the trunk.

• Be sure you have road flares, a shovel, a bag of sand and two blocks of wood for traction.

• Ensure you have several emergency blankets (available also from a dollar store) to assist in blocking wind and keep you dry if you need to sit or lay on the ground during repairs.

• Keep a set of battery jumper cables in your trunk. However, for times when there isn't a second vehicle to charge from there are now other newer alternatives.  For under $100 (although there are more expensive, fancier ones) there are now portable power stations that will quickly charge your battery and can also be used to inflate your tires.  Some of these also have lights and extra ports to charge smaller applicances.  There are also smaller dedicated power units for charging batteries.

• Keep an ice scraper with a brush in trunk - always clear the snow from the entire top of car.

• Keep extra windshield washer fluid (make sure  it is for low temperatures).

Medical Needs

Preparing for winter with medicines involves a few key steps to ensure you stay healthy and your medications remain effective:

​

Medical Equipment: Have a backup plan for powered medical equipment in case of power outages.

Stock Up: Ensure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet with essentials like pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), cold and flu treatments (decongestants, cough syrup), digestive aids (antacids, antidiarrhoeal medication), and first aid supplies (plasters, antiseptic cream).

Check Expiry Dates: Go through your medicine cabinet and check the expiry dates on all medications. Dispose of any that are expired and replace them as needed.

Store Properly: Keep medications in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Some medications may have specific storage requirements, so be sure to follow those instructions.

Emergency Plan: Have an emergency plan in place for power outages, which may affect refrigerated medications or power-dependent medical devices

Consider having a backup power source or alternative storage solutions.

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be prepared for potential winter storms that could impact your ability to get to the pharmacy or doctor.

​

For more information: Preparing Your Medicine Cabinet for an Emergency | VDH

​

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that you and your medications are well-prepared for the winter months.