Cold Weather

Cold weather assistance

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Who to call for help and information

• Call 2-1-1 for information about drop in centres, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs, winter clothing, financial assistance with utilities and a list of Out of the Cold programs. The 211 service is provided by Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario.   
• Call 3-1-1 to get referred to the best available shelter, or to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to get out of the cold. The City's 3-1-1 Line is available to respond to calls 24 hours a day. Calls are answered by the City of Ottawa Call Centre on a priority basis and referred to appropriate service providers.
• Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice.
• Call 9-1-1 for medical emergency assistance such as hypothermia.

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Mobile outreach for people experiencing homelessness

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The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre operates a Mobile Outreach Van and responds to calls made to the City's 3-1-1 Call Line. Additionally, they attend calls at request of Ottawa Police, Paramedic and Fire personnel. They encourage people to seek indoor shelter and are able to transport them to places, where they can seek refuge such as emergency shelters. In addition, they have warm clothing and other resources for those who refuse shelter placement. The Ottawa Booth Centre Outreach Van also completes case management, with unsheltered individuals, to assist in finding and affording safe and secure long term housing. This service operates in the Ottawa city limits, seven days a week, from 6 am to 3 am. During extreme weather conditions, hours are extended up to 24 hours a day.

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Overnight shelters

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Call 3-1-1 to get referred to an available and appropriate overnight shelter.

• Cornerstone: Women’s Shelter
• Salvation Army: Men’s Shelter, 171 George Street 
• Shepherds of Good Hope: (both Men’s and Women’s Shelters), 256 King Edward Avenue
• The Mission: Men’s Shelter, 35 Waller Street 
• Youth Services Bureau shelters for youth and young adults
• Bernard Grandmaître Arena, 309 McArthur Road
• Dempsey Community Centre, 1895 Russell Road
• Heron Road Community Centre, 1480 Heron Road

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Dressing for the cold

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• Wear a hat, gloves or mittens to prevent heat loss and protect ears and fingers from frostbite.
• Wear a neck warmer to protect the chin, lips and cheeks - all are extremely susceptible to cold weather injuries.
• Wear waterproof winter boots with room for an extra layer of socks.

• If you start to sweat, cool off a little. If your clothing gets wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Wet clothes will also encourage other cold weather injuries.
• Wear clothes in layers
  • Inner layer (closest to the skin) - should have "wicking" properties to move any moisture away from the skin such as polyester, polypropylene or wool. Ideally this first layer of clothing should not be primarily cotton fabric because will hold moisture and cool your skin.
  • Middle layer - should be the insulating layer to prevent loss of your body heat while keeping the cold outside air away. Examples are sweaters, sweatshirts, down vests, and fleeces that are a bit loose and trap warm air.
  • Outer layer - should be the waterproof and windbreaking layer to reduce the chances of wet and cold air reaching the insulating layer. 

Download our Be Winter Ready! poster (pdf - 3 MB)

Always be on the lookout for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. In case of serious cold weather injury, you should  seek immediate medical attention.

For more information on winter safety, visit Health Canada (PDF)

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Frostbite

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Frostbite injuries occur when exposed skin freezes when exposed to cold temperatures. Frostbite can lead to painful tissue damage and even amputations. Uncovered skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes when exposed to wind chill values of -35 C or colder. The months of December, January and February are the coldest months of the Ottawa winter and it's difficult to avoid the cold weather. Frostbite is defined as damage of the skin from exposure to cold weather. City of Ottawa Paramedics remind everyone that cold that extremely cold weather can lead to serious complications, the worst being amputation. Injuries from frostbite are extremely common yet extremely preventable.

Frostbite mostly affects areas where the circulation is poor. Since cold weather will cause the body to take preventive measures by constricting (making smaller) the blood vessel, this opens the door to frostbite injuries.

Look for the four signs of frostbite

Tips to prevent frostbite

Should frostbite set-in...

• Do not rub or massage affected areas. It may cause more damage.
• NOT HOT - warm up the area slowly. Use a warm compresses or your own body heat to re-warm the area. Underarms are a good place.
• If toes or feet are frostbitten, try not to walk on them.
• Seek immediate medical attention if skin does not return to normal after being warmed up. 

Always be on the lookout for the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. In case of serious cold weather injury, City of Ottawa Paramedics urges you to seek immediate medical attention.

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Hypothermia

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Hypothermia, the most serious of cold weather complications can lead to brain damage and death. Hypothermia risks increase the colder it is both indoors and outdoors. Most susceptible are the elderly, infants, people experiencing homelessness, newcomers to Canada, and people who work or play outdoors. Whenever the body's normal temperature becomes too low, hypothermia (hypo=low and thermia=temperature) occurs and will starve the brain of much needed oxygen. During the hot or cold weather months City of Ottawa Paramedics remind you that finding warmth can be the key to survival. Hypothermia can occur even during the hot days of July. Swimming in cold water for a long period of time can induce hypothermia even in the hottest months of the year.

Who is at risk?

There are five groups that are most susceptible to hypothermia.

• The elderly - with inadequate clothing, food (food sustains normal body temperature) or heat
• Infants - sleeping in cold rooms or inappropriate clothing for the outdoors
• People experiencing homelessness - lack of shelter, proper clothing and food
• Winter sport enthusiasts 
• Outdoor workers 

Signs of hypothermia

Look for the "UMBLES" from people affected by cold temperatures;

• a person who mumbles
• a person who stumbles
• a person who fumbles objects

For infants look for cold reddish skin and low energy - always have a thermometer at home.

Tips to prevent hypothermia

• Wear clothes in layers
  • inner layer (closest to the skin) - should have "wicking" properties to move any moisture away from the skin
  • middle layer - should be the insulating layer to prevent loss of your body heat while keeping the cold outside air away
  • outer layer - should be the "windbreaking" layer to reduce the chances of cold air reaching the insulating layer
• Drink warm fluids and avoid drinking alcohol. According to Health Canada consuming alcohol before you go out in the cold may increase your risk of hypothermia because it increases blood flow to the extremities of the body. You may actually feel warm even though you are losing heat.
• If you start to sweat, cool off a little. Wet clothes will also encourage other cold weather injuries.
• Wear a hat - up to 40 per cent of body heat loss can occur through the head.
• Wear gloves or mittens or both!
• Wear a neck warmer to protect the chin, lips and cheeks - all are extremely susceptible to cold weather injuries.
• When going on a trip leave the itinerary with a responsible person.
• If hiking use a map and hand-held Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device.

What to do in case of hypothermia

• Remove wet clothing that promotes hypothermia.
• Get to a warm place as soon as possible. Use several layers of blankets heated in your home dryer if possible.
• If the person is alert, give warm beverages. Never give alcoholic beverages.
• Seek immediate medical attention.

Always be on the lookout for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. In case of serious cold weather injury, City of Ottawa Paramedics urge you to seek immediate medical attention.

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Minimum heat requirement - rental housing

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The City of Ottawa has a Heat By-law that requires landlords who normally cover heating expenses, to maintain adequate and suitable heat at all times (i.e., not less than 16.67°C at night and not less than 20°C during the daytime). For more information contact 3-1-1. 

Winter safety tips for babies and toddlers

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• Consider keeping your child indoors if the temperature or wind chill is reported to be -27°C or lower
• Make sure your child always wears a hat that completely covers their ears.
• Use neck warmers instead of scarves.
• Take frequent breaks inside for a warm drink.
• Keep your child active.
• Cover their skin with layers of clothing. Consider thermal underwear, undershirts, sweaters, two pairs of socks, and/or two pairs of mittens..
• Always remove your child's wet clothing and boots immediately.

For information about Winter safety: Advice for parents and kids visit the Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids website.

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Winter safety tips for older adults

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Older adults are more sensitive to cold and can get hypothermia even when they are indoors, if their core temperature falls below 36°C. A body temperature below 36°C increases the risk of heart disease and kidney or liver damage, especially in people who have a history of low body temperature or have had hypothermia in the past. Older adults are advised to follow the advice below from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent hypothermia:

• Wear warm, thick clothing, including a hat and scarf if needed. Keep a blanket nearby.
• If you live alone, ask friends and family to check on you.
• Check your thermostat or an easy-to-read indoor thermometer often. If you don’t have an easy-to-read thermometer, try to have one installed if possible.
• Keep the house around 20 to 21°C and maintain your heating system. 
• Block off any unused rooms and drafts from windows and doors.
• If you use a fireplace or wood stove as your main heating source, have your chimney or flue inspected every year.
• If your home doesn’t hold heat well, have the insulation checked.

• If you use a portable heater, check out portable heater safety information from the Electrical Safety Authority.
• Financial help is sometimes available for people who can’t afford to pay their heating bills. Call 2-1-1 to find out more about financial assistance in the City of Ottawa. 

Check out more stay safe in winter tips for preventing falls in winter on our Aging Well in Ottawa website.

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Coping with extreme cold at home during a power outage

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Here are a few suggestions and resources about protection yourself and your home during cold events and power outages:

• Visit the Canadian Red Cross Winter Storm web page to learn about:
  • Winterizing your home.
  • The safe way to use generators, BBQs and propane.
• Visit the Co-operators Cold-weather power outages web page to learn about:
  • How to stay warm while the power if off.
  • Evacuating your home if necessary.
  • Draining water pipes if necessary.

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Frozen drinking water service pipes

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Severe and uninterrupted cold can result in a frozen water service pipe, preventing water from reaching your internal plumbing. The City will issue a seasonal run water advisory to vulnerable properties when frost reaches the appropriate depth. If a water service pipe freezes, City crews work to restore water service to the affected property as soon as possible.

For more information on preventing frozen water pipes, thawing water pipes manually inside your home, options for water when pipes are frozen, and who to connect with if you have questions, please see Drinking water advisories and planned work | City of Ottawa. Note that some of this information will be helpful if your home is serviced by a private well water supply.

Winter pedestrian and driving safety

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Important information is available on winter considerations for pedestrians and drivers on the City of Ottawa and the Ontario on Winter Driving Safety websites including what to include in a vehicle winter survival kit and using Ontario511 information to find out where plows are on provincial highways and what the road conditions are and where yellow grit boxes are in the City to help prevent falls. 

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Resources

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• Health Canada – Extreme cold
• Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids - Winter safety: Advice for parents and kids
• Environment and Climate Change Canada - Wind chill and cold weather webpage
• Environment and Climate Change Canada - Wind chill index webpage
• Environment and Climate Change Canada - Wind chill posters – Watch for signs of cold injuries

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