Preparedness for Winter
Prepare for winter weather 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.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms if you have a wood stove, propane heater or other fuel-burning appliances.
- 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. Do not use camp stoves, barbecues, or kerosene heaters indoors. Visit our Power Outages Preparedness Information page to learn more.
- Maintain an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, pet supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit to last at least 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 kit for added safety.
- Maintain at least two-thirds of a tank of gas and check road and weather conditions at DriveBC and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Public Weather Alerts page before any trip.
- Do not drive if you don't have to - take transit or stay home.
- If you must drive, only do so if you have experience driving in snow conditions, and if your vehicle is in good condition. Leave extra time to reach destinations.
Personal Safety
- Dress appropriately for the weather. Wear layers including a waterproof outer layer, a warm hat, scarf, gloves, and shoes with solid traction.
- Be cautious when walking on icy streets and sidewalks.
- Avoid walking or skating on lakes or ponds, as ice in Coquitlam is typically too thin for safe use.
- Take frequent breaks while shoveling snow in order to prevent strain; consider Coquitlam’s Snow Angels program for assistance if shoveling is too difficult due to physical limitations.
- If you need to warm up, visit Coquitlam’s warmed public indoor spaces including Coquitlam City Hall and all recreation centres. Everyone is welcome to visit these spaces during regular business hours.
Winter Weather Resources
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.