Winter is here! Let’s be prepared this season in Newmarket-Aurora

December 23, 2022

Having a plan and emergency supplies for your home and car will help keep you safe this winter

As Newmarket and Aurora enter the start of the winter season, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy is reminding everyone to have an emergency plan and supplies on hand to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Whether shovelling snow or clearing ice from our sidewalks, we must do our part to keep ourselves and others safe every winter. When it comes to winter emergencies like heavy snow, ice storms and power outages, there are simple ways to ensure everyone is ready.

Safety starts with having a plan and being prepared. Steps you can take to ensure you are prepared this winter season include:

Keeping a winter survival kit in your car

Be prepared for winter driving and always keep a winter survival kit in your car.

Kits should include:

  • charged phone
  • water
  • non-perishable food
  • flashlight
  • blanket and warm clothes
  • jumper cables
  • shovel
  • traction mats or sand
  • candles and a lighter or matches

Remember to slow down and drive according to weather and road conditions.

Build a 72-hour kit

During an emergency, it may take time to get to your household while first responders are assisting those in immediate danger. Having a 72-hour kit will allow your family to be self-sufficient and supported in an emergency.

Visit Ontario.ca/BePrepared for a comprehensive list of what can be part of your household’s kit.

Ontario’s Fire Marshal’s 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety

MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy joins the Office of the Fire Marshal in reminding everyone about the importance of fire safety during the holidays. Already we have seen preventable fire incidents this year in Newmarket-Aurora.

Day 1: Water fresh-cut Christmas trees daily. Always keep the base of the trunk in water and away from heat sources such as fireplaces, heaters or candles.
Day 2: Check all lights before decorating and replace any worn or damaged cords or loose bulb connections. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for indoor or outdoor use.
Day 3: Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
Day 4: Only carbon monoxide alarms can alert you to the presence of this deadly gas. Install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas.
Day 5: Having a home fire escape plan is one of the best ways to ensure you and your loved ones can get out safely. Everyone in your home should know two ways out of all areas.
Day 6: Use extension cords wisely and only as a temporary connection. Never run cords under rugs which can damage the cord and cause a fire. Avoid overloading a circuit with “octopus outlets” (lots of extension cords in one electrical outlet).
Day 7: Portable space heaters and other heating sources are sometimes used to keep the chill out. Keep anything that can burn such as holiday decorations, curtains and upholstery, at least one metre away from heat sources.
Day 8: Keep open flames away from anything that may be combustible. If you can, use an enclosed candle holder or sturdy, burn-resistant container that won’t tip.
Day 9: Matches and lighters can be deadly in the hands of children. Keep all fire-starting materials out of the sight and reach of children.
Day 10: Never leave a stove unattended. If you need to step away for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Day 11: Encourage smokers to smoke outside and use large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over easily. Always keep ashes away from anything that can burn. Empty cooled ashes into a metal container and store outside.
Day 12: While celebrating this festive time of year, be sure to keep a watchful eye on anyone cooking or smoking while under the influence.

Did you know?

Before travelling this winter out of Newmarket-Aurora, you can plan your travel by visiting Ontario.ca/511 or using the 511 app available for free on the App Store and Google Play. Ontario 511 allows you to plan your route by reviewing road conditions, cameras, weather, and Track My Plow to find out where plows are on provincial highways.