Benefits of preparedness

Learning how to prepare for and avoid winter hazards helps decrease our anxiety and fear. We can realistically assess our ability to handle cold weather and not underestimate the power of nature.

• Our best defense against the effects of extreme cold-weather conditions is preventative action. We can act to avoid danger altogether or to reduce the impact of critical situations.
• In the worst-case scenarios, being prepared also helps us to respond to emergencies and keep ourselves safe. Emergency relief personnel may not be able to reach us immediately, so each person should be ready to be self-sufficient for three days (food, water, shelter, first aid and sanitation).

This tutorial provides a summary of some common difficulties encountered by persons new to cold climates. Some pages will contain optional links to more in-depth information about the topics.