1. Build (or update) a 72-hour home emergency kit
Federal and emergency agencies consistently recommend being able to look after your household for at least three days during a power outage or storm. News Canada
Your kit should be easy to grab and stored where everyone knows it lives. Include:
- Drinking water for at least three days
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A battery-powered or crank radio
- Basic first-aid kit and essential medications
- Power banks or battery packs for phones and small devices
If you already have a kit, do a 10-minute audit: check expiry dates, swap out old batteries, and top up anything that has been used.
2. Take carbon monoxide (CO) alarms seriously
Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer” for a reason: it is colourless, odourless, and deadly at high levels. It is produced by fuel-burning appliances like gas furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, stoves, and vehicles. Mississippi
In Ontario, updated rules take effect January 1, 2026:
- CO alarms are required in any home with a fuel-burning appliance, a wood-burning fireplace, an attached garage, or an outdoor furnace. Mississippi Mills
- CO alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area and, as of January 1, 2026, on every level of the home where alarms are required. Mississippi Mills
Quick homeowner checklist:
- Make sure you have CO alarms in the right locations, not just “somewhere in the house.”
- Test alarms monthly and follow the manufacturer’s directions for replacing batteries or sealed units. Mississippi Mills
- If a CO alarm ever sounds, leave the home immediately, get fresh air, and call 911. redcross.ca
If you are a landlord or condo owner, these rules apply to you too. If you are a tenant, test alarms regularly and notify your landlord if something is not working.
3. Keep gas meters and exhaust vents clear of snow and ice
In Hamilton, it only takes one big storm and a drifting snowbank to bury an exterior vent or gas meter. That is more than an inconvenience; it is a safety risk.
Enbridge Gas warns that: enbridgegas.mediaroom.com
- A gas meter buried in snow or ice may not regulate gas pressure properly.
- Blocked furnace or appliance exhausts can cause CO to build up inside your home, which can be fatal.
Simple routine after each snowfall or when the wind drifts snow against the house:
- Find the exhaust vents for your furnace, water heater, fireplace, and any other fuel-burning appliance.
- Use a broom or brush, not a shovel or sharp tool, to gently clear snow and ice from around vents and the gas meter. enbridgegas.mediaroom.com
- Avoid piling snow from shovelling or snow-blowing up against vents or the meter. enbridgegas.mediaroom.com
If you ever smell gas (often compared to rotten eggs), leave the area immediately and call your gas utility or emergency line from a safe location. enbridgegas.com
4. Give your heating system a safety and efficiency check
Your furnace has a hard job in Southern Ontario winters. A quick inspection and regular maintenance can improve safety and lower your bills.
Based on current guidance: News Canada
- Schedule an annual furnace inspection with a licensed HVAC technician. They will check for unsafe conditions, verify vents, and confirm that the system is running efficiently.
- Change or clean furnace filters regularly (every 1–3 months, depending on the filter and usage). A clogged filter strains the system and can contribute to breakdowns.
- If you use space heaters, plug them directly into a wall outlet, keep them away from anything that can burn, and turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep. News Canada+1
A simple calendar reminder at the start of each heating season is often enough to prevent “no heat” emergencies mid-storm.
5. Plan for winter power outages before you are in the dark
Power outages in winter can be uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst, especially for seniors, young children, or anyone with medical needs. The federal government and Canadian Red Cross both stress planning before the lights go out. Canada
Key steps:
- Keep your 72-hour emergency kit ready (food, water, light, medications). News Canada
- Store flashlights and batteries where you can find them in the dark. Candles increase fire risk. redcross.ca+1
- If you use a generator, always operate it outdoors, far from windows and doors, and never plug it into a wall outlet. Connect devices directly or via properly rated extension cords. Canada
- Keep a list of neighbours or family members who may need help during an extended outage.
Even a short planning session as a family (including teens) makes everyone clearer on what to do when the house suddenly goes quiet.
6. Seal drafts so your furnace is not fighting the outdoors
Drafts around windows, doors, electrical outlets and other gaps can waste a surprising amount of heating energy and make some rooms feel icy no matter how high you set the thermostat. Energy-efficiency guidance from Natural Resources Canada and others highlights caulking and weatherstripping as cost-effective first steps. Natural Resources Canada+2NREL Docs+2
Places to check:
- Around windows and exterior doors
- Along baseboards on exterior walls
- Around electrical outlets and light switches on exterior walls
- Attic hatches and pull-down stairs
Simple fixes:
- Use caulking to seal gaps and cracks that should never move.
- Use weatherstripping or door sweeps around operable parts of windows and doors. Natural Resources Canada+1
Many homeowners see improved comfort and reduced drafts with less than a couple of hours of work and inexpensive materials.
7. Make winter safety a family habit, not a one-time chore
The most important piece is consistency. Instead of treating winter safety as a massive annual project, approach it as a series of small, repeatable habits:
- Test smoke and CO alarms once a month. Mississippi Mills+1
- Walk around your home after big snowfalls to check vents and the gas meter. enbridgegas.mediaroom.com
- Review your emergency kit and outage plan at the beginning of each winter. News Canada
If you would like a simple printable checklist to put on your fridge, reach out and we will send you one.
Thinking of moving this winter or in 2026?
Winter is also a good time to talk about your next move:
- Are you in a home that is too big and costly to heat?
- Are you worried about stairs or outages as you age in place?
- Are you renting and wondering if it is finally time to buy?
We can help you understand how today’s market, prices, and rates interact with your real-world life, not just the headlines.
📲 Call or text Team Bush at 905-308-1877
📧 Or visit our blog and resources at bushrealtysystems.com
Adapted in part from content provided by News Canada. – News Canada
