Emergencia

Recurso

Frio extremo

Closeup of icicles on a roof during a snowstorm

En condiciones de frío extremo, aumentan los riesgos de hipotermia, congelación, resbalones, caídas, intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, y potencialmente la muerte. El clima invernal puede afectar la salud de todos, así que asegúrese de estar preparado y hacer lo que sea necesario para preservar su seguridad, la de su familia y la de su comunidad.

Problemas de salud durante el clima invernal

En condiciones de frío extremo, aumentan los riesgos de hipotermia, congelación, resbalones, caídas, intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, y potencialmente la muerte. Los efectos del clima invernal en la salud pueden afectar a cualquier persona, así que esté preparado y actúe cuando sea necesario.

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Descarga la infografía sobre la hipotermia
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Descargue la infografía sobre congelación

Resbalones y caídas

Durante los períodos de nieve y hielo, existe un mayor riesgo de resbalones y caídas al aire libre. La cantidad de personas que visitan el departamento de emergencias o son hospitalizadas debido a resbalones y caídas puede aumentar durante estos tiempos. Todas las personas, independientemente de su edad y capacidad, pueden correr riesgo de sufrir caídas. Las caídas se pueden prevenir con las herramientas y la preparación adecuadas.   

Consejos para evitar resbalones y caídas 

  • Planifique con anticipación para que tenga suficiente tiempo para llegar a donde se dirige. 
  • Si hay hielo y nieve en el suelo, camine por senderos despejados. 
  • Use botas o zapatos que le queden bien y que tengan una suela gruesa antideslizante. 
  • Use un bastón, bastones de esquí o bastones para caminar que le ayuden a mantener el equilibrio. Si usa bastón, coloque un pico para hielo retráctil en la punta. 
  • Da pasos cortos arrastrando los pies con los dedos de los pies apuntando ligeramente hacia afuera sobre superficies resbaladizas (como un pingüino). Mire este video de caminata invernal para obtener más consejos.

Encuentre servicios de prevención de caídas en VCH (autoridad sanitaria Vancouver Coastal Health) 

Intoxicación por monóxido de carbono (CO)

Durante el invierno, la intoxicación por monóxido de carbono puede ocurrir con mayor frecuencia ya que algunos sistemas de calefacción queman combustible para mantener los espacios calientes (por ejemplo, calefacción de gas, estufas de leña o carbón, aceite, queroseno). La intoxicación por monóxido de carbono ocurre cuando las personas inhalan demasiado monóxido de carbono y puede ocurrir cuando los electrodomésticos no funcionan correctamente o se usan en espacios sin ventilación adecuada (p. ej., chimeneas bloqueadas, ventanas cerradas o dentro de una tienda de campaña). El monóxido de carbono no se puede ver, oler ni saborear, pero puede ser mortal en minutos. 

Conozca los síntomas de la intoxicación por monóxido de carbono y consejos de prevención (HealthLink BC)

  • At home

    • Heat your home to at least 21℃ if infants or elderly people are present. During winter months, heating costs may increase. If you have difficulty paying for heat, consider exploring BC Hydro’s Energy Conservation Assistance Program and check if your city or town has a rent bank.  
    • Make a plan and prepare your home for winter hazards in your area. See the PreparedBC Guides for Winter Weather and Storms, Power Outages, Floods, Avalanches and other BC hazards.  
    • Build an emergency kit and restock it after each use. See the PreparedBC Home Preparedness Guide. 
    • Maintain public spaces outside of your home, including sidewalks and parking areas, as safe pathways for everyone's mobility. 
      • Learn snow shovelling tips to prevent injuries.  
      • Some communities have Snow Angels / Snow Stars programs to assist seniors or people with disabilities to clear snow off walkways. This can decrease injury risk and support people's mobility. Volunteers are always needed! Contact your local government or First Nation for more information.   
    • During winter, carbon monoxide poisoning may occur more frequently as some heating systems burn fuel to keep spaces warm (e.g. gas heating, wood or charcoal stoves, oil, kerosene). Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when people inhale too much carbon monoxide and can happen when appliances malfunction or are used in spaces without adequate ventilation (e.g., blocked chimneys, closed windows, or inside a tent). You cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, but it can be deadly in minutes.

    Learn the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention tips (HealthLink BC)

  • Getting around outside

    • Check the weather report before going outside. Plan a safe route with extra time to navigate winter conditions.  
    • Dress for winter weather:  
      • Wear layers, preferably with a waterproof or windproof outer layer. Take off layers as you heat up to avoid sweating. The risk of hypothermia increases when you or your clothes are wet. 
      • Choose wool or synthetic clothing, which keeps people warmer and dryer than cotton.  
      • Depending on the temperature and wind (wind chill), exposed skin can freeze in minutes. Wear a hat, scarf, mittens or gloves.    
      • Use boots or shoes that fit well, are insulated, waterproof, and have good traction. Consider wearing traction devices on footwear, but remember that they can be slippery on smooth surfaces like tiles.  
      • Wear bright and reflective clothing so vehicles can see you in the dark. Drivers should proceed cautiously, and visibility can increase safety for people walking, rolling or biking.  

  • Avoiding slips and falls

    • Plan ahead so you have enough time to get where you're going.
    • Walk on cleared walkways if there is ice and snow on the ground.
    • Use boots or shoes that fit well and have a thick, non-slip tread sole.
    • Use a cane, ski poles or walking sticks to help with balance. If using a cane, attach a retractable ice pick to the end.
    • Take short shuffling steps with your toes pointed slightly outward on slippery surfaces (like a penguin). Watch this winter walking video for more tips.

  • Driving

  • During winter storms and extreme cold

    • Check weather advisories from Environment and Climate Change Canada and emergency alerts from Emergency Info BC. 
    • Contact your Local Government or First Nation for community support.  
    • Know where to go for the right healthcare during winter months.  
    • Consider rescheduling activities or limiting time outdoors during colder temperatures. 
    • Check-in on your neighbours, friends and family, especially older adults or people with disabilities who live alone. Make sure they are keeping warm and check if they need supplies, transportation, assistance clearing snow or other support.     

Mental health and substance use

For many, winter can take a toll on physical and mental health and well-being. Don’t hesitate to get help when you need it. If you are struggling, there are supports available. 

  • Mental health and substance use

    Mental health and substance use services are available to provide support, serv…

  • Harm reduction

    Keeping individuals and communities safe and healthy by preventing infections, …

  • Supervised Consumption and Overdose Prevention Sites

    Supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites are safe spaces where team…

Local weather, shelter, and emergency information

During winter weather events, local governments, First Nations, and non-governmental organizations in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region operate shelters or encourage people to use other public spaces (like libraries and community centres) to safely warm up and avoid exposure to the cold. Some spaces are open overnight, and others are available during the day. More spaces may be added during a weather alert, when risk increases due to cold, wind and/or precipitation.  

Many local governments and First Nations post updated information on their social media pages about warming centres or temporary shelters activated during winter weather warnings. 

Shelter options may change quickly based on the current weather conditions and capacity. Confirm with organizations directly if services or spaces are currently available.  

Learn where to find shelter, weather, and emergency information

Winter weather warnings

  • Arctic outflow warnings

    Issued for Coastal British Columbia regions when any combination of wind speed and temperature gives a wind chill of -20°C or lower for 6 hours or more.

  • Extreme cold warnings

    Issued for Coastal British Columbia when temperature or wind chills are expected to reach -35°C for at least 2 hours.

  • Snowfall warnings

    Issued for Southern and Central Coastal British Columbia when 10 centimeters or more of snow falls within 12 hours or less; or when 5 centimeters or more of snow falls within 6 hours or less. 

  • Winter storm warnings

    Issued for when severe and potentially dangerous winter weather conditions are expected, including: a major snowfall (25 centimeters or more within a 24 hour period) and a significant snowfall (snowfall warning criteria amounts) combined with other cold weather precipitation types such as freezing rain, strong winds, blowing snow and/or extreme cold.

  • Flash freeze warnings

    Issued when significant ice is expected to form on roads, sidewalks or other surfaces over much of a region because of the freezing of residual water from either melted snow or falling/fallen rain due to a rapid drop in temperatures.

Advertencias de clima invernal

  • Se emiten Advertencias de Corriente de Aire del Ártico para las regiones costeras de Columbia Británica cuando cualquier combinación de velocidad del viento y temperatura produce una sensación térmica de -20 °C o menos durante 6 horas o más.  
  • Se emiten Advertencias de Frío Extremo para la costa de Columbia Británica cuando se espera que la temperatura o el viento helado alcancen los -35 °C durante al menos 2 horas.  
  • Se emiten Avisos de Nevadas para la costa sur y central de Columbia Británica cuando caen 10 centímetros o más de nieve en 12 horas o menos; o cuando caigan 5 centímetros o más de nieve en 6 horas o menos.   
  • Los Avisos de Tormenta Invernal se emiten cuando se esperan condiciones climáticas invernales severas y potencialmente peligrosas, que incluyen: nevadas importantes (25 centímetros o más en un período de 24 horas) y nevadas significativas (cantidades de los criterios de advertencia de nevadas) combinadas con otros tipos de precipitaciones en climas fríos, como lluvia helada, vientos fuertes, ventiscas de nieve o frío extremo.   
  • Las Advertencias de Congelación Repentina se emiten cuando se espera que se forme una cantidad significativa de hielo en carreteras, aceras u otras superficies en gran parte de una región debido a la congelación del agua residual de la nieve derretida o de la lluvia que cae debido al repentino cambio de temperatura baja.  

 

Para obtener más información sobre las alertas meteorológicas públicas para Columbia Británica, visite estos recursos de  Medio Ambiente y Cambio Climático Canadá:   

 

Resources

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PreparedBC Winter Weather and Storms Preparedness Guide

PreparedBC has developed a Severe Winter Weather and Storm Readiness Guide to help people prepare for such weather events. The booklet provides key information on the risks associated with the season, and actions you can take to be prepared.

Download the guide

a diverse group having hot coco outside during winter

VCH Winter Health Resource for Community Organizations

This resource is intended for community organizations helping their community prepare for and stay safe during winter weather events, like snowstorms or power outages. It provides health guidance, key resources, and recommended actions to prepare for and support community during winter weather events.

Download the resource sheet

An illustration showing a scene of a town during winter

Put your health first this winter

This season, more than ever, it's vital to proactively manage your health and well-being. It's essential to recognize when it's time to seek medical help, and just as important to know how to care for yourself and avoid the need for medical care where possible.

Learn more

Recursos adicionales sobre el clima invernal

Consulte las páginas de redes sociales para obtener actualizaciones y nuevos servicios en su área local. 

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