Cold Weather

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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Download our Frostbite and Hypothermia Factsheet

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.

More information

Look for the four signs of frostbite Affected areas will look red, white, bluish-white, grayish-yellow, purplish, brown or ashen, depending on the severity of the condition and the person’s usual skin color. Affected areas will become painful. White, waxy-feeling patches will appear. This means skin is dying. Affected areas will then feel numb. Tips to prevent frostbite Get to a warm area before frostbite sets in. If it's too cold outside, consider staying indoors. Keep extra mittens and gloves in the car, house or school bag. Wear larger sized mittens over your gloves. Wear a hat. Wear a neck warmer to protect the chin, lips and cheeks. They are all extremely susceptible to frostbite. Wear waterproof winter boots with room for an extra layer of socks. Wear two pairs of socks - wool if possible. Make sure you are able to wiggle your toes in your boots. This air space around your toes acts as insulation. Avoid drinking alcohol. 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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Download our Frostbite and Hypothermia Factsheet

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.

More information

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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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. 

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Places to warm up in Ottawa excluding overnight shelters

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Places to warm up in Ottawa (excluding overnight shelters)

This list is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on available locations, please refer to the Places to Warm Map.  This list does not include:  Overnight shelters. All warming spaces in Ottawa because there are other locations that offer client-specific services such as programs for youth or older adults, specific genders, medical conditions and different cultures. Facilities and programs that require pre-registration and/or charge participation fees. Community health and resource centres Food banks and community food cupboards, and Programs that help people with specific needs.   Downtown Ottawa Public Library Sunnyside Branch — 1049 Bank St St Joe's Women's Centre — 151 Laurier Ave E Centre 7 Out-of-the-Cold Free Saturday Suppers — 15 Aylmer Ave Capital City Mission — 521 Rideau St Ottawa Innercity Ministries — 391 Gladstone Ave Operation Come Home — 150 Gloucester St Parkdale United Church — 429 Parkdale Ave Centre 507 — 507 Bank St St. Joe's Supper Table — 151 Laurier Ave E Centre Espoire Sophie for Women — 40 Cobourg Ave Knox Presbyterian Church — 120 Lisgar St Shepherds of Good Hope — 233 Murray St The Ottawa Mission — 35 Waller St Belong Ottawa at Centre 454 — 454 King Edward Ave Belong Ottawa at St. Luke's Table — 211 Bronson Ave Shawenjeagamik Drop-In - Odawa Friendship Centre, Bannock Bus — 510 Rideau St Belong Ottawa at The Well — 275 Elgin St Somerset West Community Health Centre — 55 Eccles St Routhier School CC — 172 Guigues Ave Alexander CC — 960 Silver St Ottawa South Community Centre — 260 Sunnyside Ave Wellington Street Seniors Centre — 170 Wellington St Fisher Park Community Centre — 250 Holland Ave Lowertown Complex — 40 Cobourg St Jack Purcell Community Centre — 320 Jack Purcell Ln Sandy Hill Community Centre — 250 Somerset St E Glebe Community Centre — 175 Third Ave Plant Bath Recreation Centre — 930 Somerset St W Hintonburg Community Centre — 1064 Wellington St W McNabb Community Centre — 180 Percy St Ottawa Public Library Main Library — 120 Metcalfe St East St. Laurent Complex / Don Gamble Community Centre — 525 Côté St Overbrook Community Centre — 33 Quill St Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre — 300 Des Pères Blancs Ave Ottawa Public Library Vanier Branch — 310 Pères Blancs Ave Ottawa Public Library Rideau Branch — 377 Rideau St Ottawa Public Library Alta Vista Branch — 2516 Alta Vista Dr Ottawa Public Library Elmvale Acres Branch — 1910 St. Laurent Blvd Ottawa Public Library Blackburn Hamlet Branch — 199 Glen Park Dr Ottawa Public Library North Gloucester Branch — 2036 Ogilvie Rd François Dupuis Rec Centre — 2263 Portobello Blvd Canterbury Community Centre — 2185 Arch St Pat Clark Community Centre — 4355 Halmont Dr Heron Rd Multi-Service Centre — 1480 Heron Rd Jim Durrell Recreation Centre — 1265 Walkley Rd Albion Heatherington Community Centre — 1560 Heatherington Rd Dempsey CC — 1895 Russell Rd South Fallingbrook Community Centre — 998 Valin St Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex - Orléans — 1490 Youville Dr Ottawa Public Library Orleans Branch — 1705 Orleans Blvd Ray Friel Recreation Complex — 1585 Tenth Line Rd Rockcliffe Park Community Centre — 380 Springfield Rd Ottawa Public Library Hunt Club-Riverside Park Kiosk — 3320 Paul Anka Dr Diane Deans Greenboro Community Centre — 363 Lorry Greenberg Dr West Carleton Heights CC — 1665 Apeldoorn Ave John G Mlacak Centre — 2500 Campeau Dr Michele Heights CC — 2955 Michele Dr Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre — 102 Greenview Ave CardelRec Recreation Complex (Goulbourn) — 1500 Shea Rd Nepean Sportsplex — 1701 Woodroffe Ave Pinecrest Recreation Complex — 2250 Torquay Ave Eva James Community Centre — 65 Stonehaven Dr Tony Graham Recreation Complex - Kanata — 100 Charlie Rogers Pl Tanglewood Park Community Centre — 30 Woodfield Dr Minto Recreation Complex — 3500 Cambrian Rd Richcraft Recreation Complex — 4101 Innovation Dr Walter Baker Sports Centre — 100 Malvern Dr Ottawa Public Library Stittsville Branch — 1637 Stittsville Main St Ottawa Public Library Carlingwood Branch — 281 Woodroffe Ave Ottawa Public Library Centennial Branch — 3870 Old Richmond Rd Ottawa Public Library Emerald Plaza Branch — 1547 Merivale Rd Ottawa Public Library Hazeldean Branch — 50 Castlefrank Rd Churchill Senior Recreation Centre — 345 Richmond Rd Ottawa Public Library Rosemount Branch — 18 Rosemount Ave Rural Metcalfe Client Service Centre and Library — 8243 Victoria St Ottawa Public Library Vernon Branch — 8682 Bank St Ottawa Public Library Greely Branch — 1448 Meadow Dr Ottawa Public Library Osgoode Branch — 5630 Osgoode Main St Ottawa Public Library Munster Hamlet Branch — 7749 Bleeks Rd Ottawa Public Library Richmond Branch — 6240 Perth St Ottawa Public Library North Gower Branch — 6579 Fourth Line Rd Ottawa Public Library Carp Branch — 3911 Carp Rd Greely Community Centre — 1448 Meadow Dr Rideauview Community Centre — 4310 Shoreline Rd

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Resources

• City of Ottawa - Cold weather assistance and who to call for help and information
• Ottawa Public Health - Frostbite and Hypothermia Factsheet
• 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