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As winter quickly approaches, many people are hurrying to get their yard work done before the cold weather sets in. Whether you’re raking leaves, closing your pool, or climbing up a ladder to clean the gutters, dangers can be involved. Remember to put your safety first!

The sun is getting stronger, winter gear is slowly diminishing, blossoms are beginning to show, hope is starting to grow – it’s springtime! In Canada, there are a few things to keep in mind to be ready for specific emergencies the new season can bring, such as increased risk of flooding as snow melts away.

Fifty-two years ago, on March 4, 1971, part of Quebec was paralyzed by the ‘storm of the century’. Although several other powerful storms occurred in the 20th century, including the very memorable 1998 ice storm, the 1971 storm took the title due to a particularly intense mix of harsh conditions. Here are other historic snowstorms from across the country.

Maybe it’s happened to you: You’re skating along the frozen surface of a lake, when CRACK! You see a fracture in the ice shoot out from under your skates. Suddenly you’re wondering… How thick is this ice? Should I be this far out? Tips from Canadian Red Cross ice safety expert Lynn Kolba for having a safe day on the ice.

Shovelling snow is like a sport unto itself! It is certainly a work-out so it’s important to know how to do it without running the risk of injury. It doesn’t take much to save you a lot of headaches (or should we say, backaches).

Winter in Canada can be very, very long… except when you’re having fun outside! Winter sports are just the ticket; they help you stay active during the cold season and make the tough months go by faster.  And while the benefits of exercise on physical health are well known, staying active can also be an effective way of ensuring good mental health.

More people have been heading into the wilderness to keep themselves active throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and that hasn’t slowed since winter began. While a day on snowshoes or skis is a great way to fend off cabin fever, it does come with some risks. Here are some tips for planning and packing for a safe winter excursion.

There are two extremes in our own perceptions of our winter driving capabilities: there are those who it barely phases, moving deftly from summer to winter driving with nary a care other than switching to winter tires OR those who are gripped with panic, frozen in fear if you will, at the idea of driving on slippery, icy roads that no longer have discernable markings making you dependent on the car ahead of you for as long as you can see it.
Where do you fall on the spectrum?