Winter Preparedness and Safety

Preparedness for Winter

Prepare for winter’s challenges with a few simple steps to help keep you, your family, and your home safe.

Home Preparedness

  • Help elderly or mobility-limited family members prepare, especially those living independently.
  • Winterize your home by inspecting your furnace, sealing windows and doors, and shutting off outside water. Trim branches near power lines and clear nearby catch basins of debris. Locate catch basins near your property at coquitlam.ca/AdoptaCatchBasin and consider adopting one to help manage winter stormwater.
  • Prepare for potential power outages with flashlights, batteries, and alternative heat sources, like approved propane or gas units that don’t require electricity. Avoid using camp stoves, barbecues, or kerosene heaters indoors.  Visit our Power Outages Preparedness Information page to learn more.
  • Assemble a basic emergency supplies kit (PDF) to help your family be self-sufficient for 72 hours.

Vehicle and Travel

  • Make sure your vehicle is winter-ready with a visit to a technician for maintenance, winter tires, and emergency chains if needed. Pack an emergency Grab-and-Go Kit (PDF) for added safety.
  • Maintain at least two-thirds of a tank of gas and check road and weather conditions at DriveBC and Environment Canada’s Public Weather Alerts page before any trip.
  • Leave extra time to reach destinations and consider taking transit on snowy days.

Personal Safety

  • Dress in layers with a hat, scarf, gloves, and shoes with solid traction. Walk on the left side facing traffic, stay far from snowplows, and avoid lakes or ponds, as ice in Coquitlam is typically too thin for safe use.
  • Take frequent breaks while shoveling to prevent strain; consider Coquitlam’s Snow Angels program for assistance if shoveling is too difficult due to physical limitations.

Winter Wise Program

Visit our Winter Wise Program webpage to help you learn about the City’s operations during winter storm events and other winter preparedness tips as well as your responsibilities and how to be prepared for any emergency.