'Tis the season for winter readiness.

Vancouver Island is famous for mild winters. By Canadian standards, our climate is nearly tropical. In December, average temperatures hover around 5 to 10 degrees on the South Island. Other regions in the country see temperatures plunge as low as 30, 40, and even 50 degrees below freezing. From a safety perspective, our winters should present very few threats or hazards, because they are so moderate. But snow, ice, and cold frequently catch us off guard here, whereas “mainland” Canadians expect dangerous winter conditions as a matter of course.

Keeping our temperate winters uneventful requires us to prepare thoroughly and well in advance. October, then, is the best time to prepare for January. This month’s blog post enumerates some of the basic steps we recommend to get yourself ready.

Fortifying Your Home

Partly because severe winter storms are so rare on Vancouver Island, they can be quite disruptive. Our infrastructure, buildings, and populace are generally underprepared for harsh or hazardous conditions. Therefore, as a best practice, we advise people to stock up on basic supplies before winter arrives.

Set aside some bottled water for emergencies as well as food that can be prepared without cooking. That way, you’ll be all set in the unlikely event that your pipes freeze, power goes out, and roads become unsafe for travel. Your emergency supplies should also include a first-aid kit, wind-up flashlight, and a crank or battery-powered radio for keeping up-to-date on public alerts.

The most severe conditions keep us locked down indoors, while even light snowfall sends us out to manage safety on our property. It’s a good idea to have snow removal supplies (shovel, sidewalk salt) stocked and readily accessible. Homeowners should know where their outdoor exhaust vents are located, so that they can keep them clear of ice and snow. If those vents become blocked, there is a greatly increased risk of carbon monoxide building up inside the home.

Lastly, anyone who feels fit and able should get in touch with their elderly or disabled neighbours. Make sure they have someone to rely on for snow removal and emergency conditions. A sense of unity in the face of hardship is the foundation of real community.

Travel Readiness

Now that your vehicle has had a long rest following summer adventuring, it’s time to prepare for winter. All-season tires are not as common on Vancouver Island as in other parts of Canada. But they are no less necessary on our roadways, whenever snow and ice appear. While changing your tires, a trained mechanic can perform a winter inspection to make sure your battery, brakes, lights, exhaust system, and windshield wipers are all in working order. Winter is hard on cars. Any undetected weakness could be exacerbated by extreme conditions.

If you expect to take road trips this season, build yourself an emergency kit and store it in the trunk. This should include prepackaged food that won’t go bad as well as a ration of bottled water. Avoid glass bottles, which could freeze and crack. Set aside some warm clothing and winter footwear as well. Your kit’s snow removal equipment should go beyond the snow-scraper you’ll want to have in the vehicle’s main compartment. Include a small shovel and a bag of salt, sand, or non-clumping kitty litter. Other considerations are antifreeze and wiper fluid; firestarter along with a candle and deep can to protect its flame; a first-aid kit; tow rope and jumper cables; emergency whistle and road flares; and a small fire extinguisher. Even these basic supplies might seem overly cautious to Vancouver Islanders used to temperate winters. But those caught unprepared will feel sorry, not safe, without them.

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Our provincial and federal governments issue weather alerts and distribute preparation guides, such as British Columbia’s Winter Weather and Storm Preparedness Guide. Following those recommendations is no guarantee that you’ll face a hazard-free winter. Being unprepared does increase your risk of injury, however. That’s why Western Canada Security is already taking steps to prepare our staff, our fleet of patrol vehicles, and our clients buildings for a joyous and safe holiday season ahead.