Seasonal Safety Tips -  Winter

Seasonal factors can create profound changes in our home and driving environments.  This can result in increased risks and criminal opportunities. Adjust your daily routine, around yourself, your home and in your community, to the seasonal and daily weather factors.

Home Security 

• While away from your home or on vacation, remember to always give your home a lived-in look. Use and adjust your light timers.
• Put away your patio furniture, barbeques and any other seasonal equipment that is not being currently used but can be used to gain access to your windows.
• Always clear the snow from your driveway before you go out.

Vehicle Security

• Never leave an unlocked/unattended vehicle in your driveway with the motor warming, or running while picking up items; i.e. laundromat, convenience store, post office.  
• Use a remote starter or obtain a spare key and use a "pull away" key chain.

When holiday shopping

• Avoid loading yourself down with parcels.  Make frequent drop offs to your vehicle.
• Store parcels in the trunk of your car or out of sight; i.e. cover them with a coat or blanket. 

Holiday gifts

• Remember to engrave an identifying mark, such as your driver’s licence number, on all high value electronic equipment. See the Mark Your Property fact sheet for details.
• For garbage pick-up, break down cartons/cardboard that contained electronic equipment (or other valuable merchandise.)  Make sure product information is not visible to the outside when recycling it at roadside.  Don't advertise the latest gadgets in your home.

Winter Driving

• Make sure all the windows of your vehicle are cleared before you drive.
• Adjust your driving to the road and/or weather conditions; i.e. slow down, signal your movements.
• Adjust your speed and turns when moving from public roadways to private property; public roadways are usually well salted, where private property may not be. 
• Lower your speed when approaching controlled intersections; i.e. stop sign, traffic lights. Anticipate ice on overpasses.
• Include emergency equipment in your vehicle trunk, particularly if driving out of town; blanket, non-scented candles, flares, flashlight, booster cables. Make sure your cell phone is charged.  
• Watch for children playing around high snow banks or large snow piles.

By taking a few precautions, everyone can do their part and have a safe and happy holiday season.